For more Friday Foto's, stop by Candid Carrie's.
When I went to look for pictures of my daughter's shows, I came across these old pictures from her early days. She is now a sophomore in college, majoring in music with minor (but I think they call it a focus) in theatre. These pictures seem both a world away and yet a second ago at the same time. It goes by so fast.
Fifth from the left
Ah, sweet pose.
Look Mommie! I'm a clown!
Police girl in Pirates
Backstage
After the show with a kalabash cousin.Isn't it strange how one can so miss the days when the children were little? How when you think back, and see the pictures, these memories are so cherished? Unfortunately, during my daughter's elementary days, these highlights were surrounded by the stress of two jobs and graduate classes. I worked half day as a teacher and four nights a week waitressing in an upscale restaurant where the money was so good it kept me from making the change to a full time teacher's salary for several years. I needed the M.Ed. to increase my salary enough to quit the upscale restaurant.
So I worked from 7:45 to 11 everyday in a school. And then four nights a week at the restaurant. I went to graduate classes two nights a week for two and a half years. The two nights I had off, I took my daughter to dance classes. When my daughter was eight and my son was five, he started sports. The picture of her in Pirates of Penzance? I would get off work at Waianae High School, drive to my kids school 30 minutes away, drop my son off at baseball practice, drive my daughter and a carpool kid to Kaimuki High School (30-45 minutes), then drive back in traffic to pick my son up from practice. Luckily, the carpool kid's mom brought daughter home from town. Meanwhile, my husband was working two jobs and taking care of his grandma who moved in with us when we bought our home. She was 85, and two years later started having mini strokes so she needed someone to be home with her. We took turns, but he was her favorite.
But none of this comes to mind when I see the pictures from those days. I only remember the joy. My heart fills with a poignant joy and spills over when I think of those days and the little ones my children used to be. Today, my daughter is a wonderful young woman who is taking 17 college credits, is in a play with rehearsals at night more often than not (Peter Pan is opening soon with her as a pirate) and works weekends. She's great company with a wicked sense of humor.
And even though I miss my baby girl, I am fiercely enjoying the woman she is becoming. Next Friday I'll get to those recent show pictures.
28 comments:
I loved the pictures and your daughter truly shines from the inside out in them.
All the juggling acts aren't what we remember are they? All the compromises and doubts and beating ourselves up just gets washed away in the end, impermanent stains.
Thanks, I needed that reminder today.
How much fun. She'll love these pictures later in life and thank you for the lessons.
And your comment on my post about having money for the movies AND the sitter - dead on!
just b - the juggling acts are not center stage in memory land, thank the lord.
Mrs S - thanks for stopping by. She's 19 now, and thanking me in her later on.
What beautiful photos. I love reading how nostalgic you are. You tell a wonderful story. I'm so amazed that you did all of that to get to be a full time teacher.
Such beautiful memeories and so worth all that you have done as a mother. You truly are blessed. Great fun pictures you have to remember all those years with. It sounds like your daughter is remarkable just like you. Great job mom!
HOLY COW your life was insane!! I honestly cannot fathom that. Sometimes I feel like my generation doesn't work even half of half as hard as past ones have...
Adorable photos. :)
Such sweet photos. The juggling is a little crazy, but you are right, it doesn't stick out as much as the lovely moments when they were little. My boy was a toddler during a stint of grad school I did full-time.
Can't wait to see the grown up photos.
What a sweet post and how wonderful that you can look back on that time with such happy memories.
It does go by so quickly, doesn't it? I never had a moment to breathe when my kids were young either and then poof ... they're teens. My daughter is coming home from college next Tue for Thanksgiving. I'm so excited to see her!
Great pics. I was also a music major, heh. Congrats on being an accomplished juggler - I'm going through it right now, and I'm constantly amazed at how many times a year I have to get my oil changed.
Have a great weekend!
it goes by so fast it can take your breath away, doesn't it? yet i enjoy them so much as adults...
I'm so glad that when you see these pictures you remember the joy, and not the stress, and that you took the time to enjoy events and life with your children despite working your tail off! :)
I'm so glad you stopped by. Thank you!
19, oh my gosh! Mine is 9, too fast, too fast! Those pix are adorable!
Isn't it amazing how much you can do in your twenties and thirties? I get tired just thinking about it these days. But it does go by so fast. I'm beginning to see the whole grandmparents enjoying and spoiling their grandchildren. Because they wer working too hard to realx into the enjoyment of their own children.
And kristan - you're still in the just out of college phase. Believe me, the 5th gear kicks in when you need it to.
great pictures and how nice that your daughter gets to pursue a passion that obviously started really young...that makes for a very enjoyable life, where work seems more like play...good for her. and for her parents for working so hard to make it possible :)
thistle- she was all set to be a psychology major, as she is also really good with children and thought she wanted to be a child psychologist. Then whammo. Changed her major into the thing that was her fun thing.
It's refreshing when we go through rough times in life that there are still fond memories that we can keep that makes it all worth it.
I really like your blog. I'm glad your name caught my eye over at SITS. I also teach 10th grade. Small world.
My son spent several of his first years making trips to the ER, but then sorta grew out of it. Mostly by turning into a big chicken, but hopefully he'll find a nice happy medium. Daring, but not reckless, right?
Your daughter's pics are adorable, too.
I love those pictures, and the whole post! That bastard time has a way of stealing precious moments......
I cannot believe how much I miss recitals and crazy driving schedules. We used to listen to books-on-tapes during those drives and there was bonding happening. Now, my older daughter takes off on her own with driver's license in hand and my younger daughter has her ipod. Maybe I should take out my pics and do some happy reminiscing before I have to do the evening pickup.
Your daughter's adorable.
Isn't it funny how we miss the crazy schedules later on? Maybe someday we will miss the hectic teen scene?
Yes, it is funny how we happily look back and wish for those sweet days. Time has a good way of smoothing over the tough memories.
Thanks for sharing.
Those pictures are adorable. Your daughter is such a cutie and looks so happy! Nice memories, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing the photos and the memories. You are so right. We never remember the pain of childbirth, just the joy of seeing those little fingers, toes and button nose. Isn't that wonderful!
your daughter seems way cool. Majoring in music w/a minor in the theatre? If I had a daughter, nothing would make me prouder!
:) thanks for the awesome comments!
I don't miss the baby days, but I'm starting to miss the younger ones. And I know (since she's only 8) that I'll miss these days, too.
But, I am so enjoying the little lady she's becoming. Each year just gets better and better.
This is a beautiful post, and I bet all those grueling hours and determination were a wonderful inspiration for your children.
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