In my Psych 101 class in college, my professor talked about snapshots our brain takes of lifechanging events. The snapshot is a vivid image showing exactly what you were doing at the time of the event. It's something that has forever left its mark on your memory. For her generation, it was the Kennedy assassination. For mine, it is most likely September 11th.
I have a lot of other snapshots in my own life too, though. These are painted in my mind forever. Some are sweet, some are amazing, and some are difficult. I think about these snapshots often.
* Seeing my then-boyfriend get down on one knee at the beach and ask me to be his wife. I was shocked! I had noooo idea it was coming!
* The first time I laid eyes on Caleb. It was love at first sight! I remember the way he looked up at us. He was SO alert! He wanted in on the action right away...that should have given me a clue about his personality!
* The deafening silence when Abby was born and rushed to the next room to the awaiting NICU staff. You have no idea, unless you've experienced it, how agonizing it is not to hear your baby cry.
* Holding my sweet baby girl for the first time at three days old. I didn't want to let her go! Her oxygen levels had been all over the place that morning, but she settled in and maintained great sats the entire time I was holding her. The nurse kept asking if I wanted to put her back. I think my look told her the answer.
* Watching Abby turn blue right in front of me. I will never, ever forget that image. I have never been so scared in my life. The only other person who witnessed that event no longer works for us, so it is pretty much my memory to bear. I'm just thankful for the way things turned out, and I'm thankful that God gave me the knowledge to know what to do.
It's amazing how vivid each of these memories is in my mind. They are all so different, yet such a vital part of the woman I am today.
I'm interested to hear some of your snapshots. They don't all have to be positive (some of mine sure weren't!), but I'd love to hear some of yours if you are willing to share.
I have a lot of other snapshots in my own life too, though. These are painted in my mind forever. Some are sweet, some are amazing, and some are difficult. I think about these snapshots often.
* Seeing my then-boyfriend get down on one knee at the beach and ask me to be his wife. I was shocked! I had noooo idea it was coming!
* The first time I laid eyes on Caleb. It was love at first sight! I remember the way he looked up at us. He was SO alert! He wanted in on the action right away...that should have given me a clue about his personality!
* The deafening silence when Abby was born and rushed to the next room to the awaiting NICU staff. You have no idea, unless you've experienced it, how agonizing it is not to hear your baby cry.
* Holding my sweet baby girl for the first time at three days old. I didn't want to let her go! Her oxygen levels had been all over the place that morning, but she settled in and maintained great sats the entire time I was holding her. The nurse kept asking if I wanted to put her back. I think my look told her the answer.
* Watching Abby turn blue right in front of me. I will never, ever forget that image. I have never been so scared in my life. The only other person who witnessed that event no longer works for us, so it is pretty much my memory to bear. I'm just thankful for the way things turned out, and I'm thankful that God gave me the knowledge to know what to do.
It's amazing how vivid each of these memories is in my mind. They are all so different, yet such a vital part of the woman I am today.
I'm interested to hear some of your snapshots. They don't all have to be positive (some of mine sure weren't!), but I'd love to hear some of yours if you are willing to share.
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