In the mirror- October 26, 2010
Do you ever have moments in your life when you look in the mirror and you can hardly believe that’s you? I’ve had a couple I can think of. Here they are… (Yes, I had to take a picture of a picture. Sorry, the scanner is on the fritz.)
This was me when I was a senior in high school on the Homecoming Court in 1998 for the class of 1999. I had a bit of a rough patch in high school (I mean who didn’t, right?) and this was sort of confirmation in my mind that it was over and I had moved on. It was a fun night. I remember looking at myself in the mirror before I left for the football game and thinking “Who is that girl who gets to ride on the back of a convertible in the parade and will head off to college soon?”
Oh, the things I would tell this girl now! Things like….
- “Good Lord Amy, DON’T let a boyfriend from high school follow you to college! Going to college with a boyfriend is like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet after you’ve already eaten.”
- “Pledge the sorority your freshman year. It’s that much fun.”
- “Check the oil in your car more often than you think.”
- “Be smarter with your money. Spring Break will be a lot better if you do.”
- “Do more than one internship.”
- “I know BCN 301 is at 8:30am. GET UP ANYWAY and PAY ATTENTION! Then you won’t have to repeat it this summer.”
- “Have more fun than you should and soak up every memory.”
This is not the best wedding picture of me. (But, look at that handsome man on my arm!) We have some fantastic ones. But, this will do for the purposes of this post. I remember trying on wedding dresses and looking at myself in the mirror and thinking, “Who is this young woman wearing a wedding dress and planning such a big day?”
Oh, the things I would tell this woman now! Things like…
- “Congratulations Amy. This is the best decision you’ve made. You and Greyson have a wonderful life together.”
- “Write your thank you notes sooner than later.”
- “Brace yourself for the biggest disappointment and heartache of your life just a month after this picture is taken. That’s when Dad will leave Mom. You will have to buck up, and forgive more than you ever have. But, Mom is better off and things turn out okay. You’ll have to keep praying, though. You’ll have to keep praying to keep forgiveness in your heart as you work to repair things with Dad.”
- “Push yourself harder and sooner in your career. You’re capable of more than you think. Don’t be intimidated. You’re in charge of your own career destiny. You’ll get there eventually. Keep up the good work.”
- “Have more fun than you should and soak up every memory.”
Sometimes when I look in the mirror now I can hardly believe it’s me with that pregnant belly. “Who is this woman who’s about to be a mother? Surely it’s not me.”
Oh, the things I wish I could tell this woman! But, I have nothing.
That’s okay. Every time I’ve had these moments in the mirror a fantastic new phase of life began. Here we go again. I guess I’ll just say something like this…
- “Have more fun than you should and soak up every memory.”
Spread it around:
You will have so much to tell that woman a year from now!
Great post.
Great post of the reminders of what we have learned through every stage and every experience!
Soak up every memory…best advice I have heard!