Memories go a little soft around the edges sometimes... like faded photographs in a dusty old album
I don't remember every single day we spent together mom, or every time you sacrificed your needs for mine (most of the time, I probably didn't even know you were doing it), but I do remember how happy I was. When I think back on my childhood ... I remember wanting to be just like you.
Because you are beautiful, inside and out.
And free spirited. I wanted to live every day with the wind in my hair and sand between my toes.
I wanted to surround myself with wild and pretty things, just like you.
Memories go a little soft around the edges, but feelings stay. Mom, you are yellow. Bright, and sunshine-y, and always willing to see the cheerful side of things.
You are the smell of warm grass and laughter ringing through the air. (I think I got my loud laugh from you, and I like that) :)
You are adventure and spontaneity. You taught me to take a day off, just because there's ice on the lake, and it might not be there tomorrow. (man, were the other kids jealous) :)
And you are a safe haven. When I was scared of the dark, you were always there. (this picture might seem a little out of place, but seriously, I'm 99.9% pretty sure this bush sculpture haunted my dreams, so go with it) Otherwise, great day at Longwood Gardens :)
You taught me to smile like I mean it and that there's always time for one more ride on the carousel. That day in Seaside was the Best. Day. Ever.
Speaking of carousels, YEE HAW!
You are cuddles and unconditional love (even when I was in my awkward phases, you made me feel good about myself).
Speaking of unconditional love.... we made it through the tough parts didn't we mom? I'm especially sorry about that last one. Phew, high school is rough, huh? Thanks for loving me. And thank you for teaching me to laugh at myself, so I can show the world that picture (laugh with me people, we've all been there, right?)
oh wait... look! I smiled at you in high school too. We were still friends :) Mom, you were patient and kind... even when I wasn't.
And you were ALWAYS there for me (and still are). It's college graduation! (do you know I still have 98% of the cards you sent me in college?) This is a scanned picture of a scanned picture but I still love it.
And now, I'm an adult. Sort of. People keep telling me that I am. Mom, will I ever feel like I have it all figured out? Probably not, but there is one thing I do know.
I love you. I love our phone conversations and the days we spend gardening together. And I love that Mike tells me I look like you sometimes. And it makes me REALLY happy when he tells me I act like you A LOT of the time. Usually when I'm singing, or dancing around the house, or making him stop what he's doing becuase there's a bird in the yard, or the moon is super pretty, or a new flower popped up in my garden.
Mom, I love you. I'll always be your baby... but please don't ever wrap me in tin foil again. The baked potato look went out in 1982.
Memories may go soft around the edges mom- but the feelings and colors of those moments stay vivid in my heart. When I was little, I wanted to be just like you- and I still do.
xo
Jules
