I've know Heather for a year or two, and in that short time, her life has been turned upside down and inside out. Her undeniable faith and perseverance through it all has been an inspiration to everyone who knows her. I am honoured to share her story with you today on Welcome To The Zoo.
I had a few moments to myself and decided to check Facebook. An unexpected picture of me in my 20s flashed across my news feed.
I've been thinking about that 20 something year old me for a week now. Talk about a Throwback Thursday!
Then something happened to me the following week, like one of those moments in time where you feel like time slowed down just for you to experience something wonderful, like a first kiss or the scent of a flower freshly in bloom. Queue the movie music and slow motion movie camera. Pan back to reveal the scene set before us. Begin pensive dialogue now.
I wish I was able to take a picture of this but thankful it was burned into my memory.
It was a beautiful, sunny hot May afternoon. I had my wee baby in my pouch sling and I was walking across the parking lot from my van and into the store. I caught my reflection as I was walking towards myself in the store windows and almost didn't recognize that it was me.
When I saw the reflection I saw a sophisticated woman who was confident in her parenting and in her life. She was beautiful, full of strength, and she had purpose in her steps.
For a moment I envied her and wanted to be like her until I saw that she WAS me!
It made my heart skip a beat and put a spring in my step. That reflection did not look like a person who had been through the fiery furnace, who had everyone and everything she had ever believed in be evaluated. She didn't look like a single mother of four young children. She didn't look like someone who was carried through the valley of darkness for a year.
She looked like she was walking into her Promised Land!
I passed by some young 20-something year olds when entering the store and I believe that the young 20-something year old me would approve of the woman in the reflection, the one that I am today.
That reflection was a gift :-).
I wish I was able to take a picture of this but thankful it was burned into my memory.
It was a beautiful, sunny hot May afternoon. I had my wee baby in my pouch sling and I was walking across the parking lot from my van and into the store. I caught my reflection as I was walking towards myself in the store windows and almost didn't recognize that it was me.
When I saw the reflection I saw a sophisticated woman who was confident in her parenting and in her life. She was beautiful, full of strength, and she had purpose in her steps.
For a moment I envied her and wanted to be like her until I saw that she WAS me!
It made my heart skip a beat and put a spring in my step. That reflection did not look like a person who had been through the fiery furnace, who had everyone and everything she had ever believed in be evaluated. She didn't look like a single mother of four young children. She didn't look like someone who was carried through the valley of darkness for a year.
She looked like she was walking into her Promised Land!
I passed by some young 20-something year olds when entering the store and I believe that the young 20-something year old me would approve of the woman in the reflection, the one that I am today.
That reflection was a gift :-).
Who do you see when you catch your reflection? Do you like what you see?
What would your younger self say about you today?
Heather Speers is a Bible College grad with a BRE with a BA in progress, who lives in Ontario, Canada and enjoys spending time with her 4 children at the splash pad or exploring the CN Tower. When the kids are asleep, you might just find her sneaking in some Jimmy Fallon or Ellen, with a hot cup of Chai tea in one hand, and her Rainbow Loom in the other. Her hope is that her faithwalk will encourage you on your own journey.
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Sometimes I look at old photos just to remember what it was like in simpler times. I love the effect that old photo had on you.
ReplyDeletePhotos always brings back memories, mostly great memories. I brought old photos of my family when I came here in the US, it is my best source of strength when I am missing them.
ReplyDeleteI look at photos all the time and remember all the simpler days, and times. Most of my family passed away so I find myself looking at photos often. I cherish the memories I still have! I know the feeling!
ReplyDeleteI do love the person I have become - most of the time :) As I've grown older, I kept waiting to feel different, but then I realized that you're as young as you feel. Kudos to you for being the confident person you are!
ReplyDeleteThis is very reflective! When I see old pictures, I love the memories that come flooding back.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at old photos and all the memories and emotions that come back with them. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love taking a look at old pictures. It reminds of some sweet memories and of nice people I met
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice realization and lovely post! I often do that to myself once in a while, look at my past pictures and think what I was thinking at that moment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience! I am so glad that you are in a spot where you are able to appreciate just how fantastic you are doing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I haven't looked through old photos in a while but definitely need to now.
ReplyDeleteThese are some tough questions. Honestly, I don't like some aspects of who I've become. However, I've recently moved out of victim mode and am making changes!
ReplyDeleteUsually when I see myself I think "urgh! why is that Hobo in there?" Just kidding. It's great that you saw that. People usually have such low perceptions of themselves. Keep it up! My mum was a single mother of 4 children and amazing X
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're a much stronger person now than the 20 year old version of yourself. It may not be as smooth sailing as it was back then but you are for sure, a much better person.
ReplyDeleteits always nice to check out old photoes and memories- it makes you feel good and nice.
ReplyDeleteI would tell me 20 year old self that she had it all wrong!!! But she played the hand she was dealt well
ReplyDeletePhotos are such memory cues, aren't they? I love looking at old pictures, and pictures with friends. They bring back happy memories and even if they are unhappy ones, they tell you that you survived those times.
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing questions indeed for anyone to answer. I am starting to like myself once again. My younger me would see a more confident me today than when I was 20. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteReflection is always wonderful when it is unexpected!
ReplyDeleteaww this post is so touching, it just goes to show that at times we go around looking at people and thinking oh i wish i was a couple pounds lighter, which i was as sophisticated.
ReplyDeleteyour post made me laugh, its funny because we always think the other has it be but the fact that the woman in that reflection was you speaks volumes
I may not have the best memories back in my childhood but all those captured in photos are the greatest. Old photos remind me of how life was simple but beautiful back then. It also reminds me of who I am today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. It's great that you are happy with the person you are now. I hope more mothers will be able to look in the mirror and be happy with the reflection they see staring back at them. Thanks for sharing. #ConfessionsLinkUp
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