This is one of the reasons why I am always so gung-ho on sharing personal photos or stories (in FB or in one of my blogsites). I simply can’t contain the happiness and gratitude I feel over the little things that make me feel oh so over the moon! This morning for instance… I was leaving for work, I said goodbye to my parents who are staying in our house for a short vacation when all of a sudden, my dad — in his PJs and slippers, complete with unwashed and tousled hair — leapt from his chair leaving his cup of coffee and dashed into the driveway, camera in hand, and started taking pictures of me as I was pulling out of the garage in my old BMer (this man who never steps out of the house without using the hairspray and looking so groomed). Just like that…unleashing a flood of memories from my childhood when he would rush from wherever he was (long-driving and all) to go to all my school programs, recognition days, dance and piano recitals, cheerleading competitions, school events and other shows, taking lots of pictures, with roll upon roll of film.

I waved and smiled for him, like the 10-yr old I used to be, with my mom watching by the doorstep. I want to remember the look on their faces this morning: that very familiar expression of happiness, pride and pure joy over the simplest of things. The same priceless smiles that have always made me feel good and content just by knowing that they are happy, as if it’s really all that mattered in this world. This morning felt so good it even started to hurt. I wanted to freeze time and make the happiness stay. I hoped and prayed to never break their hearts — by being thousands of miles apart — ever again. It’s that kind of achy good feeling deep in my heart. You know what I mean?

May I never forget this morning forever. I wanted to take a picture of daddy taking a picture of me. And of mommy watching us, telling him to take more. Déjà vu. Just like the good old days. It is a wonderful proof and reminder that some good things actually last…