Last weekend our family took a mini-vacation to beautiful Sedona, Arizona. As we were driving up Oak Creek Canyon in search of some fall leaves the iPod’s shuffle popped on a Hannah Montana song — one of Attalie’s favorite. We had the windows down, and I was enjoying the fresh air and breathtaking scenery, when I happened to glance in my rear-view mirror to see Attalie bopping and singing along as she gazed out at the gorgeous view with a big grin on her face. She looked like the definition of “bliss.”
It was strange at how this image of her captured in the confines of the mirror struck me. She reminded me almost of a teenager, but much more innocent, carefree and joyful. At the same time I felt thrilled at her obvious enjoyment of our family outing, I realized how quickly these innocent years will slip by — there was my tiny baby, turning into a real girl right before my eyes. TIME PLEASE SLOW DOWN!
It was one of those rare, special parenthood moments when a flood of mixed emotions hit you. I felt so much joy, that everything was right in the world because me and my family are happy and healthy, but at the same time I felt dread and fear at what the future would hold. Thinking: Oh why can’t I make us stay on this blissful car ride forever.
Savor the moment for the curly haired child, will soon be a long-legged teen and then in a blink of the eye is gone out into the world — sunrise, sunset.
What an a truly great photo! Tuck in your purse so you can glance at it as she enters the teen years :)