Childhood memories come in many different forms don’t they? A special song, a certain food item, a vintage board game, or for me this week, it was the blooming dogwood trees. Every spring when the dogwoods come back to life, I’m transported to my childhood where most significant moments were documented standing outside on our patio next to our beautiful, delicate, blooming dogwood tree. We also shared family dinners on that patio, afternoons reading in the sun, listening to my dad mow the lawn, and have tons of photos to reflect on (thanks for getting them printed Mom!) to showcase our childhood milestones over the years. Of course the dogwood also reminds me of other outdoor memories in the backyard, being invited to a “weeding party” in the garden and asked pick up sticks and dog waste! Ahh, yes those chores yielded responsibility in all of my siblings.
Now that I’m a Mom, I wonder what images and moments my kids will reflect upon when they are my age, with kids and running full throttle at work at with family demands.
I hope blooming dogwood trees will be one trigger even though we don’t have one in our current yard. I point them out every year and stop to take pictures when a particular one catches my eye. I take detours to drive through Washington Park to add perspective to our high-tech days. I’ve tried to teach my kids the beauty around them as we spend a lot of time in the car going to an from activities and school. The sunrise, the morning fog, storm clouds, daffodils, sunsets….wherever we are, there are moments worth capturing and remembering. When I see my kids taking pictures on their own of some of these moments without me triggering them, I know I’m leaving an impression that will last a lifetime.
