Candace, on Memory. Sling Diaries, Vol VII.

The Sling Diaries, Volume VII. A photo-documentary chronicling the art of baby wearing in the lives of families around the world. Over the course of six months, Sling Diarists will create their own Sling Diary though a series of diary entries interpreting a unique theme given to them each month.

Meet all of our Sling Diarists here.

ON MEMORY 

I know you won't remember this wanderlust life

This life spent in constant motion, with new sensations at every landing.

Toes disappearing in sand as you face off with the Jersey Shore

Scottish daffodils tickling your infant feet

Finding your voice, in the brightest dress you own, as you set off on the busy streets of Barcelona

Your first birthday and you let everyone know it

You won't remember the details

Nights spent round the kitchen table, planning

Full days of packing

The sway of high-speed, sometimes creaky, trains to France, Belgium, and throughout our new country

A sway you were so determined to conquer, toddling through each carriage, stopping to make friends with the nicer passengers

The tireless hours spent on planes, refusing sleep in favor of pulling the shade "up down up down" and peeking between seat cushions, hoping for one more smile from the kind person behind us

 I know you won't remember 

But I want you to

When you ask me what a memory is, I’ll say

Like passing clouds of moments in your mind

Some scary, accompanied by the thunderstorms and lightning that life can sometimes provide

Others consuming the expansive sky 

But more, and I hope too many to count, those big, fluffy clouds

Those memories that bring you joy and make you smile.

That's what this is

My heart is so full with all you've already seen and experienced

"Wow," a whisper on my neck 

Finger stretched to a point

Eyes wide

A creeping hint of a smile

Countless times

With your curious nature, you're learning this world 

I have no way of knowing what your first memories will be

First memories are often confused with stories we hear or photos we see

And that's okay

We have plenty

I want to tell you it all

I want you to relive these beautiful, crazy moments

And perhaps, one day, you'll embark on your own wanderlust adventure

But most of all, I hope you remember the love.

...................................

Follow along with Candace over on Instagram, @candygreene, and The Sling Diaries on Pinterest.