An old photo .. still warming my heart

My son just graduated from kindergarten. He is 6 going on 16, I swear.. Amazing how he changed. The beauty and magic of life is alive and well within him.

Tonight I found an old photo, most likely when he was about 4 or so .. I recall the exact moment it was taken: Early autumn. We had just gotten done eating a very late dinner at a Crackerbarrel. Afterwards we stopped and played checkers--as we do each and every time we see a checkerboard in any public location! My wife snapped a quick photo. And it was a moment in time.

This may be my single favorite photo ever taken of my and Ayden. I recall the way the early fall chill was hitting our faces.. but yet the warmth of love of family made it go away. I recall the innocence of his youth, the pure and true love in his heart--love that still exists by the grace of God..

There are times when I believe my heaven, if one exists, will be this moment forever.

Nostalgia is normally something I recoil at.
But this photo?
I don't. Instead I embrace it. It is my solace.. And now I will save it in my 'rainy day' collection. Those little moments of nostalgia you actually want to recall when things go south.