polka dots

Polka Dots are a classic. Songs were written about them.  Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald sing the same song, Polka Dots and Moonbeams, a sultry blues sonnet.

Dresses and bathing suits were designed with fabric of varying sizes and colors of polka dots. Who could forget the brown polka dotted dress that Julia Roberts wore?

Here she is in Pretty Woman in the racetrack scene.

Recently, I saw some polka dots that brought back memories for me.  My granddaughter was at the beach wearing a red polka dot bathing suit that looked almost identical to one that I wore at the same age. It was like watching myself and wondering where time went.

Where does 50 years go? If we could stop time, where would we stop it? In our childhood? In our teens? Early 20’s? Mid-30’s? Late 40’s. Mid-50’s. Late 60’s………….right at the end?

Do you get the idea?

By the time we figure out that things were perfect, we’ve moved on to another place in life. Or worse, we are always looking forward to the day when things will be just right. In hindsight, there is no time that I could say “stop right here”. This is right where I want to be and I am sure I want to stay here forever doing just this. 

Have you ever sorted through old clothes? Some mothers make quilts out of their kids old clothes. It reminds them of happy days of childhood. Some daughters keep closets with their mother’s clothes- her hats and gloves, her old dresses and shoes. Those closets hold memories in those clothes. Some people capture a baseball jersey or some moment- a wedding dress- a baby’s outfit- under glass for the keepsake. Think about what life would be like if we really could stop time and not move forward. It would be like that movie Groundhog Day. In this movie, Phil transformed and became a better Phil, not a different Phil. Near the end,  ““No matter what happens tomorrow, or for the rest of my life,” Phil tells Rita, “I’m happy now because I love you.”

Have you ever looked at old pictures of yourself and others? It’s amazing how much better we used to look  ( considering we didn’t see it at the time). Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could embrace and appreciate every moment that is ours? Let’s be  mindful and stop ourselves, if we find we are wishing for something else when where we are and what we are doing right now is just right. 🙂 Hey- do you see those water diamonds below? They look like polka dots on water! I tell you, when you start looking- you see things in a different light!!!