“Zoey!” I call out, the impatience apparent in my voice. I glance at my watch as I place her lunchbox in her backpack.
7:32 a.m. Five minutes until we need to leave.
She’s supposed to be brushing her teeth, but instead of running water and toothbrush scrubbing, the only sound I hear coming from the bathroom is her sweet chattering. Zoey’s been talking to herself since she first learned to speak; how comforting it must be, I think, to always have someone to talk to, who you can always count on to listen. If it was the weekend, I would have just smiled to myself and let her carry on her conversation, but alas, it’s a school day.
The first bell will ring in 13 minutes.
“Come on, Z,” I say as I step into the bathroom. She looks up and smiles as she can now see the both of us reflected in the mirror. I slip up behind her and bury my face into her neck.
“If I have to ask you one more time…” I playfully growl.
“Mommy?” she asks.
“What’s up, Pea?”
“I wanted to tell you something.”
I look back into the mirror so she can see me. I roll my eyes. “Now you’re just stalling. Brush. Your. Teeth.”
“No, really, come here,” she says as she pulls my face next to hers. Carbon copies of ourselves blink back at our real versions.
“I told my teacher the other day that the only thing different about your face and mine was the color of our eyes.” Her hands squeeze my cheeks. “How cool is that? Other than your green ones and my blue ones, we’re the same!”
We’re the same….
One day, when I am gone from this earth, Zoey will probably be nostalgic about me and our times together. Being a masterful storyteller, she will no doubt find ways to keep my memory alive, so I wonder: How will she remember me? What stories she will choose to share?
I look at my tiny 5-year-old in the mirror and picture her all grown up, telling her own children about how when she was a little girl, she thought their grandmother looked just like her.
And as Zoey’s blue eyes stare back at my green ones, her innocent pride pulling her lips into a happy smile, I think of the legacy I want to leave behind.
Isn’t that something that we all should keep in mind as we go about our days? How do we want our loved ones to remember us? Will their memories of us turn into stories told with proud smiles and endless love? And in those stories, what words will we want written on the pages?
As for me, I want to be remembered fondly (I mean, don’t we all?). So for now, looking at Zoey’s beautiful face in the mirror, the words I decide to write on my pages today are those of love, patience and gratitude.
“You know what I told someone about you the other day?” I ask her as I hand her the toothpaste and toothbrush, my head still next to hers, my arms encircling her waist into a hug.
“What?” she asks through a mouthful of bubble-gum scented foam.
“That when I grew up, I wanted to be just like you.”
Though the colors may be mismatched, our eyes crinkle up smaller when we smile; in the mirror now, both sets are almost non-existent.
But then the sweet moment passes, and we are in a rush again. We quickly grab our bags, rush down the hall to catch the elevator, and buckle up in the car so we can get to school on time.
Yet despite feeling harried, we laugh and rock out to the radio and play I-Spy and tell each other about what parts of our days we are looking forward to the most.
And that’s when I know: That’s the person I want to be. That’s the person I am. And if I make sure to always practice being me — being happy, playful, joyful, and positive — that’s the person she’ll tell stories about. That’s the person she’ll remember. That’s the person she’ll love.
That’s the person she loves.
So today, I decide to put those things into action. I go to work and I smile at my co-workers as I say good morning. I dive into my long to-do list with enthusiasm. I think about how lucky and blessed I am in all aspects of my life.
And I also set a reminder on my phone to wake up 5 minutes earlier tomorrow morning.
Just in case Zoey and I decide we want to create some more memories.
* * *
How do you want to be remembered?
What words will be written on your pages?
What legacy will you leave behind?
😘 love you
Love you! 🙂
So so sweet and special 💕
I love the special moments I get to share with her. She brings light to my life!
So very beautiful!
Thank you!
How sweet! People tell my tween and I that we look “just exactly alike.” My eyes are blue, hers are chocolate just like her dad’s. I also have a little talker. I used to try to get a video of her playing and talking with her dolls. 🙂 -Stephanie- http://www.thewritesteph.com
This is a wonderful post. I too want to be remembered fondly by my daughters, I want them to remember that I loved them and that we have fun doing girly things together like painting our toes, doing our hair and dressing up in matching outfits. I want them to remember that I told them they were beautiful and precious. This is such a great reminder to think of our legacy!
I’m sure they will remember every amazingly wonderful thing you do for them and every awesome thing you tell them 🙂
Lovely and inspiring. I enjoyed it. Thank you.
Thank you, Hatem!
What a lovely post! And what a wonderful relationship you have with Zoey!
Thanks, Elizabeth! I know I’m biased but she’s an amazing child. I’d like to be like her when I grow up 🙂
This is a very inspiring post because as a parent myself, that is something I often think about daily. I think ultimately it is an honor to be remembered for being your unique self because that is how people relate best to you. I want to leave behind a legacy where people know that I enjoy life and am generally happy as well because it is who I am. #fdflinkparty
Yes, I do think it’s always best to be remembered for being our true, authentic selves!
Aw, that’s so sweet!
This is just so lovely! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’ve made it my mission for 2017 to put more #quality into the things that I do, both in my blogging life and real life. I realize that my minute to minute stresses are going to ruin my legacy if I’m not careful. Thank you for this great post. I can’t wait to read more! Thank you so much for adding your URL to the latest #FanDayFriday Link party at iamzoewatson.com.
💕 beautiful.
This gave me chills. I am now 73 and have many memories from my three children, who now have children of their own and they are my joy. We still laugh at the memories we shared many years ago and are making new ones with the grandies. “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Take it from someone who knows, you will remember it all. :o)
Your comment made me smile! It certainly is a wonderful life…
Amazing blog! Your words lay heavy on my heart I often think those thoughts with my girls – thinking it now as I watch them sleep. How will they remember me, what stories will they tell? I will be happy that the stories will be of me and how I made then laugh when they did not want to and cry joyous tears when they think of me when I am gone. I just want to be remembered in their hearts – the story there never ends. Thank you.
Your girls are lucky to have you – and will certainly remember you for everything you gave to them and taught them. Our legacies are one of the most important things we have to offer.