Moments

I don't know why, but some moments in your life you remember more clearly than others.

You know the ones … the ones that somehow become etched in your memory and take you right back. So some time ago, it was early fall and the air was just beginning to get crisp, but it was enough to send a shiver down to my toes, dressed in my traditional summer flip flops. Dusk was starting to descend on the slowing pace of the neighborhood. In the distance, I heard a trash can being rolled in, a garage door loudly grumbling closed for the night, and that one neighbor who always mowed his lawn real late. As I made my late afternoon mail run, my eyes caught sight of the fall flowers I had out front.

You know the ones … the ones I always promised myself I would have when I was all grown up and responsible to plant far enough in advance to enjoy for the season. I felt a tinge of pride as I admired the orange and pink blooms happily sitting in their matching pots in my carefully selected spot to the right of our front door. As I gazed at the setting sun, I thought I had just enough golden light to grab a few photographs with my “big” camera, as my kids call it, and maybe, just maybe, I would get that one shot that I usually fall in love with.

You know the one … the one that captures my heart because it's simple, not overthought or overworked, and taken from just the right angle. This photo takes me back, and I always remember how for those few minutes I simply loved the sound of my shutter clicking away.

• Received for publication August 14, 2018.
• Accepted for publication August 15, 2018.

• © 2018 American Association for Clinical Chemistry