And since I look back on photos of myself when I was in my twenties and say, "Oh, my goodness, why didn't I think I was gorgeous then?", I've decided to embrace good pics of myself now, even to print them up and put them in photo albums. I am the memory keeper, after all. And one day, Flanna might flip through an album and say, "That's exactly how I remember my mom from when I was a kid." And maybe that will make her happy, or bring back a sweet moment in her mind's eye. 
So, here it is. The photo I don't hate. Taken by a friend at work.
What photo of your mom as a young woman do you just love? I have this one of my mom in short shorts and a hippie shirt, with glasses and long straight hair, leaning against a car. And it takes me right back to being four years old sitting on a cool metal glider bench in the back yard, picking mint from the garden, watching our cats dart from under one car to another in the driveway as parents chatted standing by cars. Funny the things we remember.
such a lovely photo! and i concur with looking back on pics...i often tell myself "clare, enjoy how you look right now bc right now is the youngest you'll ever be =)"
ReplyDeleteYou do look lovely in this picture, but you always do! Clare, I love that and you are very wise. I remember that picture you are talking about TJ. And always I thought that I was too fat. Looking back from this much older year of my life it was such a waste of time for truly if you are within the weight limit for your height and healthy then your beauty is only reflected back to you by those that hold you in their hearts. This is what truly fills us, not how our hair looked that day! I don't have any pictures here. But in my minds eye my mothers gentle acceptance and amazing kindness over shadow her delicate frame and attractive high cheek bones. You are grandmothers grand daughter TJ!
ReplyDeleteI meant to say you are your grand mothers grand daughter!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Clare, and Mom, too!
ReplyDeleteYou have been beautiful every day I've ever known you, and that's been about, what, 20 years now? So I can guarantee 20 years of your being gorgeous...and no, I'm not excluding the braces years either! So yes, print up those photos and enjoy them! I know for a fact Flanna will.
ReplyDelete"And since I look back on photos of myself when I was in my twenties and say, "Oh, my goodness, why didn't I think I was gorgeous then?""
ReplyDeleteI have been feeling this same way as of late. Having Laney has made me revisit old pictures to remember what I looked like before kids. I know when I am 50 I will think I looked good at 35, so why can't I think it now? Of course, that is easier said than done, but I'm trying! :)
P.S. This is a great picture of you. And you know I don't lie!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelley & Heather!
ReplyDelete