My Do-Over Moment
June 25, 2012 in spon
If you could have a do-over for one moment of your life, what moment would you choose?
That question was recently posed to me and I agonized over it. Perhaps it would be that half tattoo I have on my back (learn something new about me everyday, huh?) or maybe that time I plucked a name out of thin air when my husband wasn’t present to put on our 2nd child’s birth certificate?
Nope, I wouldn’t change either of those.
See that photo up there? It’s the only photo I have of the day that my husband deployed.
It wasn’t a short day either. We didn’t just pull up, shove him out the door, and peace out. We sat in a parking lot for over an hour before the sun was even up, waiting to drop off gear. We went to breakfast with some friends and their family that had come into town. We spent another 30 minutes waiting at his company and then another 30 minutes saying goodbye. And yet I only have ONE photo and he’s not even in it!
Something about that day just made taking out the camera hard. Just taking the one photo up there felt really… final. I felt like taking pictures was like saying “Well, this might be the last time we’re all together so… let’s take photos!” which is silly because I take photos everyday of everything!
So if I could have any moment to completely do over, I would choose the moment that my husband walked away from us, threw his arm around one of his best friend’s shoulders, and shouted “Someone’s gotta end this blankity blank war!”
Because that would’ve been an awesome photograph.
(Also, this deployment is not even halfway over and I already have our homecoming photographer booked. I am not taking any chances this time y’all!)
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I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.
I feel your pain. But, you have clear memories of the event, and so do the kids, so a photo would have been a bonus.
I can think of at least a couple of do-overs I’d love to have.
I hope all is well with the current deployment, and I’m sending thoughts for continued success. :)
I wish you could have that do over moment too! PS did you get to try out this dishwasher? I totally fit into that whole rewashing category and ours isn’t even that old. Sigh!
No, didn’t get to try it. :( It looks awesome though!
Wow…that’s powerful. My do-overs are always about photos I didn’t get…like when my husband hit a deer and my son got a fat lip. We always talk about that time, but I never took a photo (the dentist, getting their hair cut, knee surgery all got photos). My son was too traumatized by this event. When I came to get him, he was just worried if his Daddy would come home, too. All I did was comfort him instead of whipping out my camera. Today, I still wish I had a photo of that, but in hindsight….I would have done it all the same. Even while we’re documenting ever aspect of our lives, it appears that some memories are just better in our heads. Hugs.
Yea, I guess I would like to know about the dishwasher. since I am, too, a pre-washer. Have you tried it for real? I did think that a “commercial” tied in with such a personal moment was odd, though, but it did it’s job. I’m inquiring.
I didn’t get to try the dishwasher but I was looking at them the other day (on the Sears website) and the reviews were pretty good! :)
This brought tears to my eyes. Well said. And yes- let’s end this blankety blank war!! Much love to you!
I always wish I had taken more photos at events. I have birthdays’s without any photos. what?!
At least now you will be prepared for his homecoming!
This made me tear up a bit… I can’t even imagine what that is like.
The day you really want to remember is the day he comes home… that will be the important picture for the books!
I completely understand how you feel. My brother recently came back from Iraq and I don’t think any of us took photos. I think you get wrapped up in the thought of them leaving that you dont think of photos. There are however always those Happy coming home days! You, your family and your husband are all in my thoughts and prayers! God Bless!
What a great story! Don’t kick yourself too much but be sure to relish in the moment when you set eyes on him again, it sounds like your already planning that :)
I am terrible at remembering to take out a camera for family trips and events; I’ve tried to get better about it since our first baby was born, but I’m still forgetful (and regretful, later). This was a great story, too, and I think it’s such a good idea that you’ve pre-booked a photographer so that you don’t have to be behind the camera when he returns; you can be part of the memories, instead!