I just love all the special features on a camera. The kind that just by holding down the button can take a multitude of shots in mere seconds. It's in those moments that the raw genuine emotion is captured and you can see what you really look like. You can't photo shop the kind of expression in the picture above...it's just there. And the coolest thing about it? It's with my Mom.
Us Chases have always been known for our energy. It's either annoying like a bright light on an early morning or encouraging like a personal trainer when working out. Either way, it's something that is deep within us and would make us phony if we tried not be to that way. Whenever there is anything resembling a reunion, it's like a stick of dynamite with a match. Yep...it freaks people out. And we love it.
I can't believe the bright eyed, blonde headed beauty in this picture just turned 51 yesterday. Still so fresh and full of zest even after life has made it's full circle on her. Her daughter now has a daughter. It's in a picture like this that I find myself sitting back and making plans for my own legacy I want to build. I want to build memories that contain a picture like this of me and Nora...squeezing the guts out of each other from an overflow of too much pent up emotion. So here is just the beginning of my "Hope list", and all I had to do was start by looking at that picture.
One day I hope that...
-Nora will learn to see people's hearts before their face, embracing the fact that all her friends look different.
- Nora will be pointed to Jesus every time she has a negative comment, complaining spirit, or ugly attitude.
-Nora will rest in the deep love that her parents have for each other.
-Nora will come to my closet to borrow clothes, get fashion advice, or try on all my necklaces.
-Nora will know that I trust her to follow Jesus wherever he leads her...even if it's across oceans and miles away.
- Nora will call me her friend more than just her mom.
-Nora will seek me out for advice and know that I genuinely care.
-Nora will be spurred on to love Jesus more by watching me live.
Mom, all of these "hopes" originated from what I already share with you. These beautiful attributes that define our relationship have given me a firm foundation for my own journey with Nora.
And yes it's cheesy, but the title of this post should be our motto...it's official ;) Happy Birthday, beautiful!
