Moments I’ll Never Forget (And One I Might Regret)

A season of firsts, a few lasts, and the bittersweet realization that time never slows down.

If you asked me now, “Would you do it again?” my knee-jerk reaction would be a hard no. But in hindsight? I’d consider it. Some aspects of it, anyway.

Certainly not adorning an afghan and walking down a runway (that’s a one-time-only kind of thing), but maybe next time with a less… unconventional outfit. I’m all for stepping outside of my comfort zone, but a girl has to have her boundaries.

July 2025 held more firsts than I expected—and a few moments that reminded me how quickly life moves.

It was one of those months. A month of firsts.The first time I attended my daughter’s bridal shower. The first time I participated in a fashion show wearing what genuinely looked and felt like something my grandma crocheted.The first time I presented virtually to a group interested in working with adults with disabilities. That was the first time I shared my story—my struggles as a legally blind woman, along with the laughter that naturally comes when I giggle about the “blind girl things” I do.

They tell me these moments are on brand. For what it’s worth, I’m just happy being truly me.

As I reflect on the past few weeks, I know some of these events were firsts… and lasts.I hope my presentation was the first of many to come. The fashion show? Well, that’s a time-will-tell situation. But my daughter’s showers? Those were once-in-a-lifetime.

They brought both joy and a touch of sorrow. I found myself reflecting on other moments that reminded me of the bittersweet reality of life and motherhood. I wondered: Was I present enough? Did I really soak in every moment?

Time moves forward whether we’re ready or not, and I have a tendency to live in the future. Learning to be fully in the moment is a challenge—but it’s one I intend to keep practicing.

We live in a world that rushes us along, always doing, always striving. We forget to breathe. To notice.

As someone with low vision, my sense of smell often makes up for what I miss visually. On walks with my husband, I take deep breaths and let the scent of nature sink in.

Side note: thanks to the wild amount of rain we’ve had this summer, everything smells extra fresh and looks a vibrant green. If you’re also in Alberta, you understand the need to find silver linings when it comes to the weather.

It’s time to land this plane, so I’ll leave you with this:

Live in the moment. Take deep breaths. Feel nature—don’t just look at it.

And remember: life is full of firsts, but only some become seconds.

Enjoyed this story?

I occasionally share these reflections by email too—quiet stories, honest moments, and life in between.

Receive the Stories