When I think about writing a memoir, I think about some of my favorite memories, favorite times in my life. Our memories are our story. They are a part of who we are. Some are happy, some are sad, some just are. Nancie Atwell (1998) in her book, In the Middle, talks about how our stories help us to understand and give meaning to our life.
As I read the book, The House on Mango Street, I thought of a special time with my own father. Esperanza writes about a special moment in her life when she danced with her Uncle Nacho. My story happened several years ago, at my cousin Joey's wedding. After the wedding there was a dinner and dance at a beautiful reception hall in Chicago. The song, I will Always Love You (sung by Whitney, written by Dolly) came on. I was standing by a table chatting with my Chicago cousins when my dad came up beside me, took my hand and said "Come on, let's dance!" At first I was hesitant, this is not typically the song I would dance to with Dad. But I followed him onto the dance floor and he twirled me around and around, singing all the way. My Dad loves to sing and is really pretty good. Even though my Dad said nothing, I knew my Dad was singing to me. My Dad and I have always been close. He knew the next weekend, we would be attending another wedding, my own. He and I both knew, it would change our relationship. As we walked off the dance floor, not a word was said but I knew this was his way of saying he would "always love me". And even though our relationship changes over the years, I too will always love my dad. Just like Esperanza and her Uncle, my Dad and I created a special moment, one I will always cherish.
As I read the book, The House on Mango Street, I thought of a special time with my own father. Esperanza writes about a special moment in her life when she danced with her Uncle Nacho. My story happened several years ago, at my cousin Joey's wedding. After the wedding there was a dinner and dance at a beautiful reception hall in Chicago. The song, I will Always Love You (sung by Whitney, written by Dolly) came on. I was standing by a table chatting with my Chicago cousins when my dad came up beside me, took my hand and said "Come on, let's dance!" At first I was hesitant, this is not typically the song I would dance to with Dad. But I followed him onto the dance floor and he twirled me around and around, singing all the way. My Dad loves to sing and is really pretty good. Even though my Dad said nothing, I knew my Dad was singing to me. My Dad and I have always been close. He knew the next weekend, we would be attending another wedding, my own. He and I both knew, it would change our relationship. As we walked off the dance floor, not a word was said but I knew this was his way of saying he would "always love me". And even though our relationship changes over the years, I too will always love my dad. Just like Esperanza and her Uncle, my Dad and I created a special moment, one I will always cherish.