Halloween 2006. A first. I gaze at this picture, holding back tears, at what was and how time sprints from this little baby to a girl approaching double-digits. Feisty and independent, at 9 months she grabbed the bottle, eager to forge her own path. Glimpses of her personality bloomed in small ways: her little hands grabbed the edges of the couch and her feet inched sideways, peek-a-boo always meant a deep, guttural laugh that I never forgot and when held by strangers, she not only announced her disdain, but screamed it.
Fast forward almost 9 years later. She shops for the Halloween costume of her choice, fumbling through aisles, trying to find what will work for her. Definite opinions guide her choices. Strong-willed, she inches forward to adolescence. Her excitement about trick-or-treating builds as she decorates her bed room window with sticky pumpkins, cobwebs and lights. All week, I’ve heard her say,”I cannot wait to go trick-or-treat, Momma. I am so excited.”
From babbling to a voice that articulates sentences, I sigh with a loudness I only understand.
I keep watching and listening, accumulating memories.
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I sigh with you…. A sweet memory- Happy Halloween 🙂
Such a cute little pumpkin!
Thanks, Susan.
Aww that’s so freakin’ cute!!! It’s amazing how quickly they grow indeed – my son is now 7 years of age and it still astounds me how vocal and coherent he is now (thankfully) versus when he was 6 months old – which feels like yesterday. Have a great Halloween weekend to you and yours Rudri! -Iva
Oh I know that sigh!!!
Hope you all make some wonderful memories tonight!!
We did make some great memories. Even though she is older, Halloween is one of her favorite holidays.
Beautiful then. Beautiful now.
At five, my oldest is very vocal about Halloween specifics and wishes. And I know it will only grow.
Oh yes a familiar sigh.
Ooh, I love the picture, adorable!
How time flies, I’m glad you’re capturing all the memories.
Thanks, Alison. This blog is a great tool to help capture many memories.