Thursday, September 24, 2009

That perfect moment


I've taken up photography as a wanna be hobby, and so I spend a lot of time thinking about what would be good shots to try and capture. In other words, moments that can be captured that would tell a powerful story. And as I was walking into the grocery store with Layla the other day, a good one popped into my head.

As I started walking away from the car with her, I did what every parent does without thinking. I reached my hand out and back for her to grab it. All parents know that feeling when your child's warm little hand slips into yours. The feeling of them grabbing on and putting their weight on you as they do a happy jump, skip or shuffle, simply because they are holding your hand. And they are happy. I'm often reminded about how that simple act is going to be one of the first things to go as my children grow and push their independence. And how profoundly I will miss it.

But in the mean time, I will cherish those little unions, and appreciate when I see other parents doing the same. There will come a day when she won't take my hand. When she won't need my hand. And I will have to watch her walk off, independent and proud. And try to find the joy in that by reminding myself that a job well done as a parent often means letting go.

But I'm in no rush to get there.

1 comment: