My Five Most Memorable Life Moments

On the radio this morning, they were talking about the 5 most memorable moments of their lives (inspired by an episode of "Lost").

Here is my list:

My Five Most Memorable Life Moments

1. My wedding. Specifically when Richard gave his impromptu speech. I have never felt so loved. Also, our first dance as husband and wife. We both cried and just smiled.

2. Antonio is born. He was my first nephew. I drove with my parents from Green Bay to Albuquerque just to be there when he was born. I remember just crossing the state line into New Mexico when my brother-in-law called to tell us Kim was in labor. We drove as fast as we could, praying Antonio wouldn't be born until we got there (20 hours later, he arrived!). I remember holding him just hours after he was born. So small and wiggly. Absolutely perfect. It was the first and only time I was ever afraid to hold a baby. And it was so strange to think he came from my big sister. I could never picture her as a mom until that moment. I remember how exhausted and beautiful my sister looked. She looked perfect.

3. The night my grandfather died. I had just returned from a first date with a guy I had had a crush on for two years. I went straight to bed. I rose the next morning still glowing from my magical high school date. I was halfway up the stairs when I overheard my dad talking on the phone. He was breaking the news to someone that my grandfather had passed the night before. I collapsed on the stairs. I gripped the flat stair spindles as hard as I could and I wept.

4. Walking the picket line with my dad. This is one of my first memories. I was about four years old (I think). My dad was on strike. I remember my dad carrying me. And I remember walking. But most of all, I remember the orange pop I drank afterwards. We went to the VFW and my dad gave me an orange pop. I don't know why this stands out so vividly in my mind. Maybe because we rarely got to drink soda or maybe because it was time spent with my dad.

5. The first and last adolescent hug from my sister. We had a huge family fight. At nine years old, I didn't think our family would make it. I was convinced my parents were getting a divorce. At the peak of the fight, my sister and were riding in the car with my mom. She dropped us off at the house and sped off. I was scared and upset. Kim just held me while I cried. I don't think she hugged me again until I was an adult.

PS: These are pictures of my backyard at sunset.