Memories are portals that transcend us back to pivotal turning points in life, influencing the person we are and will become.
One of the advantages of growing up in the 90’s is that it placed us kids beautifully at the intersection of technology and human connection. As a precocious preteen raised in an overly religious household, I now look back with clarity and see how a room I spent countless days and nights in could hide its glory from me. The proverbial blinders fell from my eyes and for the first time I saw this room for what it was, a speakeasy.
Curiosity piqued; I took a seat at the hand-crafted, wood-paneled bar. which hosted four burnt orange swivel bar stools. Tossing my trapper keeper on the smooth burnt orange counter, I waited,hoping someone would reveal the stash hidden behind it, offering a new and sweet perspective to communion. Unlike the bitter and bland shot I was accustomed to taking with stale crackers on first Sundays, I longed for a taste that would tantalize my senses, providing a stark contrast the solemnity of the ritual.
I caught a glimpse of this new world reflecting back at me through the oversized mirror that hung on the wall behind the bar. I took in the wonder of this “new” location. Slightly hidden underground but visible enough for the sun to try and force its way through the blinds and sheer curtains. The brick walls and dim tungsten lighting setting the mood; it all feels right, yet oddly quiet.
Still hoping for a taste of the spirit I did what any kid would do. I turned the stool into a one-person roundabout, spinning until my vision blurred. Oscillating between the worlds of prepubescence and adolescence. As the dizziness subsided, my eyes were captivated by a lavish woman looking away from me, as if embarrassed by my youthful antics.
Driven by curiosity,I approached the oversized speakers housing a collection of records & CDs. Stealing a moment to explore the lavish woman on the cover. Her shoulders exposed from the beautiful white feathered top covering the rest of her. Discombobulated yet intrigued by her disposition, I longed to know more. Lowering myself to the ground, I fully inspected the audio entertainment system, discovering a labyrinth of buttons and controls that surpassed anything I had encountered before. It was like gazing at a maze, and I was eager to navigate my way out of the confines of the singular genre of music I had been exposed to. Carefully removing the CD from its case, I studied it intently,determined to find the correct place for it within the complex system. With a gentle touch, I positioned the CD, and as it began to spin, the room filled with the horn section saluting the occasion. The vibration of each instrument chiming in lulled me closer until I found myself leaning against the speakers, as the music penetrated my soul tattooing its mark on my heart. The woman, who I later came to know as the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, boldly asked me, “What you want? Baby I got it”.
The sound waves continued echoing throughout my body until I heard the creak of a door opening.I opened my eyes excited, finally, the waiter must be here to make my drink,but to my surprise, it was my grandfather. My imagination instantly aborted its mission, surrendering back to the real world. I’m a kid. In my grandparent’s basement. Exploring everything except the topics of my homework. My grandfather stood for a moment. Staring at me with a slight grin. Embarrassed, I jumped away from the speaker and tried to turn it off, but I hadn’t gotten that far in my explorations. I froze,embodying the disposition of the Queen of Souls album cover.
I sat, anticipating a strong verbal warning but all I heard was the Queen’s voice continuing to call out to me. I looked up to see my grandfather smiling as he began doing a two-step, chiming in with the Queen of Soul when she proclaimed, “All I’m asking, is for a little respect when I get home”. The weight of guilt lifted off me with each high note sung. The liberating melodies moved me to my feet, the baseline giving them direction. This was the first and last memory I have of my grandfather and I dancing together.
While a part of me appreciates that I didn’t have the distraction of technology denying complete immersion into the moment, I do wish I had a visual reminder I could revisit at will. With all the details I remember, there are many more I wish I had. Like the details of my grandfather’s face. As a memory, they’re a blur. How we were dressed. Any hints of the smells in the house at that time. Something to implicate the time of year.
This moment became an intricate part of my life story. Directing me to the path that reverenced the beauty of music and the stories told within it.
So, what’s your story? Does it start with a glimpse of someone across the room making your heart skip a beat? Maybe it begins with feeling a new life growing inside you or watching that new life take their first breath. Could it be the moment your release yourself from the expectations of others and decide to walk boldly in your truth? Only you can understand the depth of what it’s like to be you. Take a moment to reflect on a few of your favorite core memories made with loved ones. Permit your imagination to transport you back to those times, allowing love to guide you deeper into the moment that inspired or redirected your journey in the most beautifully unexpected ways possible.
“What’s your story?” This is a question I always ask clients. More often that not, it’s responded to with a look of confusion and uncertainty. Either because they don’t think their story is worth telling or because they’re not sure how it relates to the process of booking one of our sessions.
There’s a reason you reached out to a professional. Maybe you just wanted to update your family photos,or you’ve reached a milestone. Whatever the reason is, there was a journey that led you to this point. It’s the journey that I hope to capture the essence of.It’s easy to celebrate once you’ve reached the finish line but I believe it’s important to recognize the journey it took to reach the destination. Doing so adds emotional value to your experience, the creative process, and the final product(s).
Over the years I’ve come to the realization that too many people aren’t prepared to readily answer the question, “What’s your story”. It seems there’s never enough time for self-care or reflection. We all too often tend to let life happen to us instead of experiencing life as it comes. Imagine life as the ocean. When you try to swim against the current you tire yourself out. But when you go with the flow you embrace the journey. We don’t take enough time to relish. Make a choice to fully immerse in the moments of life as they happen. Without comparison.
Social media is a wonderful piece of technology that connects in a way that brings us closer while simultaneously removing emotion of human connection. It’s over saturated with friends, foes and celebrity stories creating a façade of the perfect life. And while life may not be perfect, what social media does do well is allow us to curate memories. Just make sure you don’t miss the beauty in your story comparing it to the curated moments of someone else’s.
“This captures the magical moments of that glorious day beautifully! I absolutely love it! ❤️”. This is my goal for every client and their loved ones. This comment, from a mother viewing her daughter’s wedding film teaser. The mother’s reflection epitomizes the emotional value you should feel looking back. While she already had memories from being at the wedding the day of, she was able to connect on a deeper level, viewing this special day from a different perspective.
Life comes at us all fast and we won’t be able to capture every moment. But for those moments that prove too precious to leave in the hands of the untrained, seek a qualified and professional photographer or videographer who understands and values your story enough to capture its essence.
Once you acknowledge the value in your story, you’ll understand the value in hiring a professional to document those timeless moments in life that will make up your life’s story a chapter in your family’s history.
Your story and curated memories are treasures to be passed down to through generations. Reminders to the world and your loved ones that you were here. How are you going to ensure your story lives on in your memory and the memory of the loved one’s who’ll continue your legacy?
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