This is a photo of my mother on her honeymoon. It sits in a tattered paper frame (within a larger glass frame now) on my father's dresser next to his watch and cologne. She was twenty-two years old. I love her long hair and want the shoes. For many years now there has been a deep longing to understand my mother. Some days it looks different. "What was your favorite book when you were growing up?" "What was it about dad that caught your eye?" "Why don't you like talking about Grandma?" I am a collector. I love facts (snapple and useful). I love getting to know a woman's story. And what astounds me is that I really have no idea what makes my mum happy. She is this fierce, strong-willed, activator who loves to be in the mountains. She reads all the time. Mexican food makes her really happy. She pretty much dreads any time she has to spend in the kitchen and she hates when I leave lights on. But beyond all of these things I know, there is a depth that I want to understand. Thanks for journeying with me this morning. I am feeling a lot of emotions today (and maybe the aftermath of turkey). I feel like I am bursting with gratitude for so many things. Also, I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that my mother is the same age as I am this year, in this photo...
