There's times in my life when I wish I had a camera on me to capture a special moment.   I'm touched by things that go unnoticed by most.  As I get older, it seems like everything reminds me of something.   My always present sensitivity continues to grow.  My emotions are more lucid as chills and tears intensify.  At this stage, I am overwhelmed with a rich sense of gratitude for my life.  However, I never have a camera with me when moments or events present themselves.  

Recently I got it!  Our daughter-in-law puts pictures of our granddaughters on Facebook.com via her cell phone camera.  That way we can enjoy what's going on.  These pictures show moments as they are happening . . .  This is amazing I thought, after all, I always carry my cell phone!   All I needed to do was change my basic cell phone to one with a great camera.   So I immediately research every brand of cell phone, making the camera the most important ancillary feature.  The best cell phone camera out there is the Samsung Omnia with a 5 mega-pixel.  But that cell phone required an upgraded phone plan with a mobile and broadband package.  That would add another $30 to my already basic $20 plan (I don't have a high utilization plan because I only use my cell phone in an emergency)!  No way!  So I bought the new LG Dare which has a 3.2 mega-pixel camera with a panorama picture feature as well!  Then I upgraded my plan for only $5 a month (250 email/txt a month) bringing my cell phone monthly total to $25, YEAH! 

Immediately I started using my camera!  It takes amazing pictures without any technical wisdom or talent.  I love this new way of savoring the moments.  Ah, now I can revisit memories and never lose them.  Just last weekend we went to an estate sale at the KATE SMITH Estate when I saw this marvelous chandelier hanging above the grand piano area . . .  The image of KATE SMITH singing in her home with this most amazing chandelier flooded me with emotion!  I reached in my purse for my new cell phone and immediately  snapped a shot of the chandelier!  Later that day I shared it with my mom in Michigan (via email) and my Facebook friends.  It was sharing a little piece of my day that thrilled me.  I've captured sunrises, sunsets and special moments like that of my husband relaxing by pool (newly retired) . . .   The other day while walking downtown, the sun streamed through the buildings, cascading a very special dancing design on the sidewalk . . .  Just like in my childhood, I recalled how the sun filtered through the trees and through my bedroom window and danced on my bed.  The video feature let me capture the reflection . . .

If it feels like your life is filled with monotony or you feel lifeless . . . ponder God's beauty that's surrounds us . . . Some people have said that youth have the luxury of time.  But there's value at both ends of the spectrum.  I delight in the archives of my memories as I grow older.   I'm filled not only with an unbelievable sense of gratitude, but a vintage fermented sensitivity that allows me to delight fully in all that surrounds me.  Now my new cell phone camera allows me to extend and enjoy the spontaneity of moments that come along the way.  That's huge!