Time in a Snap

I look at the picture, the emotions it draws forth are nearly too many to count.  The picture speaks volumes to me.  Probably more than to the average person who just looks at it. 

I can see the back of my daughter's head and her arms.  That's enough for me.  The perfect up-do, the open back of the dress.  She is all dressed up for prom.  This is a far cry from her usual pony tail and t-shirt.  My baby is growing up.  It won't be long until she lets her hair down and goes off to college.  Surely not one other person has felt the pain, sadness, joy, pride that I am feeling right now.  NO ONE - I am quite sure.

I follow her arms.  They are wrapped around her pawpaw - my daddy.  His eyes glisten even in the black and white photograph.  Tears.  Wasn't it only last week that he cried at my graduation - the thought runs through my head - probably his.  His baby is all grown up.  He knows when he looks into the eyes of his granddaughter.  There, looking back at him are my eyes - the eyes of his daughter.  As my daddy and I watch my daughter leave for prom, I know what he is thinking.  Surely not one other person in the whole world has felt the pain, sadness, joy, pride that he is feeling at that moment.  His daughter is grown now and it won't be long before her baby leaves to conquer the world.  Oh surely no one feels the way he feels - and, I know, he is sure.