Freeze Dance

As the kids and I danced a jig during one of our favorite shows, we paused with every mention of the word freeze.  As we moved and laughed, I took a mental snap shot.  You know the moments; full of laughter and playing and then the thought occurs that this instance cannot be repeated.  That particular moment... once in a lifetime.  The only condolence is to take a mental snapshot and store it in the file of Things to Recall Often. 

As I twirl and dip and stagger in my life's dance, I can't forget to freeze.


I'll do it in order to take a mental snapshot. And remember.


If I could, I would freeze the days when my laundry basket is filled with princess dresses, footed pajamas, and baseball socks.  And the days when a blanket solves the world's troubles.

I would freeze the days when more tears are shed over the mention of unwanted nap times and bedtimes than over broken hearts, failed reports or hurt feelings. Or the days when everyone in our family could pile comfortably into one bed.

I would freeze the day that Kayt decided that if she couldn't marry Daddy, she would marry Bubba.
And the days when I brushed tangles out of matted, dark hair only to brush new tangles out minutes later.

I would freeze the days when riding a bike on two wheels was deserving of a family celebration, when the sidewalk was covered with chalk, and the yard colored by Play-Do. And the ones when my throat felt sore from all the books read aloud.

I would freeze the days when sippie cups filled the top drawer of my dishwasher and colorful spoons my silverware slots.  And the days when talk of 'school adventures' was merely talk, not a reality.

I would freeze the days when dirty feet clouded the bath water as all three of my lil' loves easily fit into one tub.  And especially the days when the sight of my face made little legs run to my arms.


If I could pause the music, just for awhile, I would include a day just like today.  Ordinary, simple and special.  I would freeze the giggles that are common sounds, the footsteps that still pitter-patter, and the messes that are strewn with adventure and imagination.

But as we danced that fun day, I realized that the song built with each new note.  The frozen poses became funnier and the excitement grew.  The final freeze was better than the first.

And for that reason, I'll let that time go by knowing that each day and month and year will build upon the last.  The memories will grow and the mental snapshots will accumulate.


But while we dance our lives away, I'll continue to take moments to freeze.

Because if we are going to dance, we might as well Freeze Dance!