Last Summer Part Three

I left off with our adventure through the Tunnel of Trees. We made it to Petoskey and had a wonderful dinner at Odawa Casino Buffet.

Afterwards...

Hubby, the kids and I make our way to Bayfront Park on Little Traverse Bay to watch the most amazing sunset. What a glorious evening that was!

Being on the west side of the state made the evening dusk linger much longer. There was a waterfall, of sorts, across the park with a small stream. We played near there and took some fun photos.

Where's Doug-O?

 Leave it to Douglas to always be a goof-ball!

We're done prancing around by the stream and make our way over to the water's edge. The shoreline is covered with huge jagged boulders. The kids are determined to find their very own Petoskey stone, but of course, they have no luck. Doesn't stop them from spending most of the evening climbing all over the rocks.

Doug's goofy idea to have them tilt their heads to the side, reminiscent of when Forrest Gump and his son did so in the movie.

My absolute favorite photo. It's currently my desktop wallpaper.

As many times as I've looked at these photos, I never noticed the fiery-golden glint of the sunset on the tips of each wave. Amazing!

Where's Doug-O?

 We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful, and blessed, day!

Where's Tiger?

I'm going to stray a bit from the norm and respond to a comment. 

"You've got to learn to set the camera and the timer so 

you can be in at least a few."

Well, I am in these pictures. Not in the physical sense that's me. My true self. But in the sense that in each picture of my daughter you will see a small part of me. Not sure what part exactly. The attitude,  or maybe just the nose? She does look more like her Daddy's side of the family, but I know I'm in there somewhere too. I mean, I did give birth to her.

For sure you will see me in my son's face. Again, not the physical me that I am now, 

but the me that I was long, long ago. 

So, you will see me, if not physically in body, 

but for sure in the legacies that are my children.

I prefer to remain behind the camera. I don't feel that I photograph very well. 

Others will argue; my sister and friends; 

and it's from those others where you will find the photographs of me,

but I know how I feel, and I don't feel like being in front of the camera. 

You don't always need a photograph to capture a memory. 

Some of my best "growing up" memories have no photographic trail, but I remember them. 

I remember my Mom going on all of my school field trips with me; taking time out of her work schedule; to visit many of the places back then that I have gone with my kids since they began school. 

Yates Cider Mill with Mrs. Girling and Allie's 3rd Grade class.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Science Center with Mrs. Hawe's 4th Grade class.

I remember my Dad being at my sporting events and 

helping me with my history homework. 

Warren Police Athletic League (PAL) Summer 2010

Warren PAL Summer 2010

I remember fishing on the banks of the river with Dad, while Mom sat and watched us beg Dad to put worms on our hooks or take the fish off 'cause "Oooo gross. I don't wanna touch that!"

My niece, Shelby

My Dad (Papa) with my nephew, Nate.

You see, there are more ways to make a memory and to hold on to it forever besides taking a photograph. Granted, I absolutely love having a camera in my hands and trying to capture a moment in time. Maybe it is because there isn't much of a photographic trail of my childhood memories. Maybe not. 

Maybe it's just this generation trying to be all "hi-techie".

Who knows?

I do want to believe that my kids will someday look back on all these adventures and have their special memories of Mom being there. Being there for the school field trips. Walking-With-God (and a sprained ankle) all over downtown Detroit along with a couple hundred scouts and other parents. Coaching baseball.  Hiking thru trees, down trails, uphill, over rocks and on a beach. Traipsing all over the Zoo, Greenfield Village, Cedar Point and Belle Isle when my knee was in so much pain I would just stuff my tears deep inside and muddle on, so I could be there to capture those moments.

Our very first Scout Day at Comerica Park

At Fitzgerald High School volunteering for Eagle Scout Fundraiser

Celebrity Server Night at Elias Bros. Big Boy

4th of July in Gramma and Papa's backyard

Vacation up north August 2008

Summer School field trip to the Detroit Zoo

Disney on Ice - 2010

Girls On the Run 5K marathon in Plymouth, MI - June 2010

Warren PAL baseball Summer 2009

One of our many, many trips to the Detroit Zoo

Scout Picnic at Shaw Park - Summer 2010

Yo Gabba Gabba at the Fox Theater in Detroit, MI - October 2010

4th Grade field trip to Greenfield Village - October 2010

Haunted Hayride at Blake's Orchard - 2010

Warren PAL Soccer - Spring 2011

Cedar Point - June 2011

Warren PAL baseball - Summer 2010

Surprise! It's your birthday gift. We're seeing the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus
at The Palace of Auburn Hills. November 2009

Hollywood Night dance at Mound Park.

I'm not a perfect parent. 

I'm not a perfect person. 

But I try. 

I do my very best every day.

I don't know what kind of memories my children will have when they are grown and learn what it's like to "reflect back on the day". Will they be good memories? Will they wonder "Why isn't Mom in any of these pictures?" Or will they be able to reach deep in to their minds and remember as I have done?

I'm in the pictures too. I'm always there.