childhood – Page 3 – keep opening doors

Three at the window

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Keep Opening Doors

For me, quiet, relaxing mornings are one of the joys of summer break. I am thankful that there is no need to get sleepy kids out of bed, no need to find backpacks and pack lunches, and no need to rush out of the house to make it to school before the morning bell. I welcome the change.

At our house, (most of the year, but especially in the summer) the girls and I enjoy starting our day by creating; the girls wake up and start drawing before breakfast and I enjoy taking photos in amazing morning light.

As the first full week of summer break started today, it seemed like the perfect time to set up the art table again. There is a need for a dedicated space where art supplies are ready anytime and where the girls can come together and create. So, after moving a bit of furniture around, I set up a place for them at the front window, and they immediately started drawing together.

A few minutes later, their sweet pup joined them and all three sat together at the window.

I treasure these moments!

The Ponytail and the Gymnast

Posted on May 16, 2013May 16, 2013 by Keep Opening Doors

The ponytail is making a comeback in our house. I have to admit that I love the way our daughter’s ponytail swirls and bounces as she plays. I also have to admit that I’m surprised how seeing my daughter in her ponytail can bring me back to my days–years, actually–as a gymnast (in a ponytail, of course).

My memories of being a gymnast are so powerful; I can still feel the thrill of swinging on the bars, releasing my hands, and catching the bar again a moment later; I can feel the extension of my legs and toes as I leap across the beam; I can hear my hands and feet pounding on the spring floor, as I tumble my way through my floor routine and feel the power in my body as I flip through the air. To this day, I still remember my bar and floor routines (I even hear the music for the floor routine in my head).

As an adult, I experience gymnastics in a different way, as an observer. I enjoy watching gymnastics, no matter what the skill level. I delight when kids work for and accomplish a new skill, discover their own strength, and find the confidence in themselves to try something new. Most of all, I love watching children having FUN with gymnastics.

In my memories, the gymnast in me can still feel her power, strength, confidence, joy, and grace. Now, these qualities present themselves in different aspects of my life, mostly through being a mom and a photographer. My hope for our girls is that they discover and keep their own power, strength, confidence, and joy through doing the activities and sports that they truly love. As always, keep following your hearts and dreams, girls.

I loved being a gymnast; I’m still a gymnast at heart!

Memories

Posted on March 15, 2013March 19, 2013 by Keep Opening Doors

I have an old metal tin, which I’ve used since childhood to hold many of my keepsakes: my lost teeth, photos of puppies, gumball machine rings, Girl Scout badges, and a ballerina necklace. This old tin also holds something special from my grandpa, an old square dancing belt buckle.

It is amazing how many memories can be evoked from the discovery of just one object.

Finding this belt buckle brought back more than just a memory of how much my grandma and grandpa enjoyed square dancing together. I was reminded how I loved to go and visit them at their house in San Francisco, how excited I was when they let my brothers and I “paint” their garage with paint cans filled with water, and how much fun we had playing Yahtzee at their dining room table. I remember the sleepovers, hunting for Easter Eggs, taking the bus to go shopping, and even the sound of their voices cheering for the San Francisco Giants as we listened to the game on the radio.

Most importantly, I remember the love I felt from them, my love for them (then and now), and their kindness toward each other, and to all of us.

Now, as a parent, it warms my heart to watch the bond between our children and their grandparents grow. They may not understand how fortunate they are to have these relationships now, but, when they are older, I hope that they look back at this time in their lives with fondness, just as I am doing now.

In these moments, I miss my grandparents, immensely. I am grateful that I have so many wonderful memories of my time with them.

Thank you, grandma and grandpa!