This past week my husband and I were reflecting upon the last 3 weeks and the emotional high of our son graduating from high school. Beginning the ending of April with his award ceremony to prom and finally graduation and all other senior activities in between it was an emotional high that we’d never forget. All the preparations, shopping trips, photo shoots, parades, dinners, and engagements we were like hamsters on a wheel. We wanted to experience and support him without regret.

Amongst all that, I was repeatedly asked from family, friends, coworkers, and even fellow parents “Mom how do you feel?” I would always respond “I don’t know yet.” First I was in mom mode. Ensuring my baby had the experience he wanted. Secondly, I was purposefully remaining in the moment. And I didn’t want it to be about me, this was his time. LIFE IS GOING TO LIFE

Which lead me to the thought of me sitting in the stadium at graduation and not for one moment I picked up my phone. As my husband and I were discussing it, those 3 weeks or so was a blur. I remained in the moment so well that I experienced those moments first hand. What is that you may ask?

How often do we go on vacation or attend events and without a thought, immediately the phone is out and camera is rolling. If we think about it, many of our most precious moments that we can’t get back were experienced through a lens. Experiencing certain moments through a lens only captured what’s in that square. Sitting at that graduation I can see photographically the entire stadium. Where people sat. The mom’s perfume smell that sat in front of me. The baby crying 2 rows down. I was in the moment. Reflecting on the award ceremony I was the same. I hugged my son, watched him walk to his seat. Get with his friends and then I sat.

I ask, are you living life first hand or through a lens. I once heard one of my OG YouTubers I watch say she doesn’t vlog anymore because she missed the experience of some milestones with her kids because she picked up the camera. She said I was seeing it the first time with my viewers instead of embracing the moment.

Do I have great photos. I absolutely do. We had family there that gave us the grace to enjoy our son while they took amazing videos and photos. I know what some might say, but we want to share. That’s also an amazing thing to do. But as I told my mom, even the happiest moments are the most precious and not everyone is privileged to experience those with us. I see most people post photos before the graduation or event is even over. Which brings me back to it’s about him and not me.

As the summer begin and you go out more, I challenge you to put your phone down and experience life first hand. The photographic memory and all around sensory experience will be better than any capture in a square. Have a great day!!

RosalynLynn

Be you so you can be free.