Mental Snapshots

Posted by mamas

Posted: May 8, 2008 - 12:43 pm

Do you ever experience those moments of sheer joy where you think to yourself “I must remember this forever”? I think back to when I felt that initial flutter of life in my belly, or when I held my baby for the first time. I think of him sighing contentedly in my arms before I put him in his crib or gurgling delight while being rocked on his daddy’s knees. I think of first steps, first foods, first fits, and first words. I think mostly of facial expressions and deep blue eyes, and I will myself, to not forget a single moment.

Although, I know that time is notorious for ebbing away at the corners of these memories, I work to imprint them into the recesses of my heart. I want to be able to retrieve them when I need them. I’ll need them when my teenager is angry with me, or my young adult son is going away to college, or my daughter is getting married, or maybe even when the grandchildren are born. The point is that those memories can carry us through many tough times.

Even in the throws of parenting, with spit up, teething, diapers, and tantrums; I make it a priority to enjoy these times as I know that they are short lived. Of course, when you are working to survive the craziness of infant care, it may seem that this is an eternity that this stage will never end. But I challenge you to pick out a moment occasionally and mentally photograph it.

In order to remember these moments, I have taken different approaches. Sometimes I will write them in my journal or baby book. Occasionally I will be able to take a physical picture and include a caption underneath. Often I would breathe in the smell of my baby after his bath to make a scent memory or hold his soft hand to create a touch memory. When I am stressed, I will calm myself by remembering certain moments with my child that brought me great joy. This in turn will reinforce the memory as I bring it up again and again.

I desire to remember all of the details to the greatest capacity, yet I know that some of them will eventually slip away. However, there will always be those rock solid memories that somehow find a place in your mind and heart where they will live and breathe. Although we grow with our children in many ways, we don’t want to forget the ways in which they brought us joy and enhanced our lives. So for now, I must recognize that the future is uncertain and so I will relish each snapshot, giggle, and smile and pack them in my mental imagery bag for when I will need them again.

What mental snapshots from pregnancy or parenting will stay with you always?

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