don’t put your phone away
August 12, 2017Have I mentioned lately that I love my kids?
Sighhh. I spent this afternoon spending time with them and I’m just so grateful. We had so much fun together just doing spontaneous things. We watched Madagascar (Daniel and Mariam’s latest craze), we made pancakes together in the shape of hearts and mickey mouse and stars and had fun arranging chocolate chips to make smiley faces, we took a nap, we woke up and drove around the basement for no reason, and we snuggled up to sleep together after reading a book together. All four of us just having no plans whatsoever this evening and just randomly followed whatever the kids wanted to do. I mean, who makes pancakes at 3pm?!
When we were cuddling, Daniel turned to me and said “Mommy, it was really fun today!” and my heart just melted as I said “Me too,” back to him.
We were all sleeping in Daniel’s room – me and Daniel on the bed, and Mariam and Dean on the pull out bed below (we’re very clingy, everyone wants to sleep in the same room). And as I hugged Daniel and the room was quiet, I felt sad thinking about the future. Yes, Daniel said he had fun today and Mariam I’m sure did too (she laughed so much!) but guess what, he’s not going to remember any of this when he grows up. Just as I can’t remember every fun thing my parents and I did together now.
It made me rethink. I keep saying to people “put your phone away and enjoy the moment” which I agree to some extent. But I also think it’s important to immortalise good memories because they fade away really quickly. Memories are intangible and as more and more memories pile on one another, you’re bound to forget a lot of them. I think I already knew this from long ago, so without realising, via blogging I stored all memories of my life journey in this blog. I’ve been blogging for over ten years and that’s a decade worth of my memories growing up from uni till the person I am now! And those are only the ones that I bothered to write about – so much is left forgotten which is a shame. I think that’s why I constantly have my phone around me, immediately snapping photos and videos of my current views especially my kids – instagramming their moments in life that I don’t want them or me to ever forget. My family always complains that I always have my phone with me and I make a conscious effort to put it away when with them, but being the stubborn me, I always find myself somehow sneaking it back in because I want to snap any amazing moments between us.
I showed Daniel a video of him as a baby and he gasped in disbelief because he didn’t recognise the boy in the video. I smiled as I explained how he was as a baby and I told him what he used to watch etc – he looked at me and continued watching Madagascar. -___-” Couldn’t care less. But I know that he and Mariam will one day appreciate all these videos, all these photos, all these memories that I’ve managed to capture. When one day Mommy passes on, know that I’ve kept all your precious photos and videos growing up in my hard drives, my Instagram and in my phone – these are all things that money can’t buy. Time will pass on so fast and people are losing that sentimental quality in life, as things get more fast-paced and digitalised. But I want you to never lose that appreciation for good memories that will put a smile on your face.
Human beings, by nature, will forget. So I want to rephrase, guys. Don’t put your phone away. Instead, use it for the good to capture moments of happiness in your life. And hold on to those tightly so you can look back one day and realise these memories are exactly what you needed to remind yourself that you have many things to be thankful for. Whether or not the people in your photos are still around in this world, whether or not you still remained friends, whether or not you’ve moved countries – at least you know you were blessed enough to experience those memories.
And then you can thank your mom for always taking good photos and videos of you. *blows nails*
A photo that always lifts me up. My precious munchkins laughing as they bully their dad on the bed after work. P/S: you guys have loads of fun times with Mommy too btw, it’s just that I’m always the one taking the photo hence I’m never in it -_____-” #sacrifice
Kai vivy! I have tears on my eyes. Life is all about how we want to see it. Wish you the best in everything π
Salam Vivy, i adore you so much. even my english is not as good as you but i am tryin my best to improve it. u r such an inspiration!
I love u kak vivy !!!! Gosh someday when i have kids ill do the same ! Dont u worry ππ
Vivy, as much as I love watching videos of your children, because they are very smart little kids and adorable. Alhamdullilah. But I cringe and feel so sad when Mariam crying and upset and says “no photo”. I totally get it you should capture every moment but with technology and Kids nowadays, I do feel you have to take a step back and re-evaluate the situations. We probably do not have the best answer with technology and kids, some say good, some say it’s not good. We will only know the outcome 20 years from now or 30 years from now. What would the effect be to children. Don’t get me wrong, I am very sure that you’re the best you could. But try to understand why Mariam says “no photo” and please don’t take it lightly. :)). Thanks Vivy. Hope this msg doesn’t make you sad.
Ahaha lels i thought you have three kids at first ! Rupanya thats their dad. Ayok haha
Memories never dies.
I was just thinking about the same thing. Few days back, while I was searching for something in my laptop, I accidentally found an old folder. Inside the folder are my old pictures & videos I took using my old phone. I watched the videos one by one, trying to replay the memories in my head. Sadly, I can’t even recall recording some of the videos, which proved how easily I forget things.
I am like you. I love to snap pictures/videos when I have the chance, which sadly means, for most of the time I’m not in the frame. But then again, I’d rather not having my face in the pictures/videos than not remembering the wonderful memories at all. I stand with you, we shall not put our phone away π
i cried reading this post πππ
You are right kak Vivy! I did that a lot too because I don’t want to forget any great moment happening to me. Before having a blog, I used to write a diary. And when I read it back, I become so emotional because they are lot of things that I almost and already forget. So grateful to have gadget nowadays and able to capture every single moment that I want to remember in life π
Having your phone around is exceptionally fine if you want to capture those memories, but it turns into a bad thing when you’re constantly staring at it while others are talking to you or you just choose to scroll through social media while having company around you. Anyway, keep it up! I’m still amazed at how fast you managed to capture those moments on your insta-stories. You must have the hands of a ninja hahaha π
Sacrifice
Hi Vivy. My first time here. I cant agree more with what you highlighted. I used to blog on a weekly basis about my girls (I hv 4 Alhamdulillah). But in 2010 I stopped. Too occupied with FB. Faster & instant responses. My wise teenage girl coaxed me into writing again. As she put it – Ma, stop updating your status in FB but update your blog instead. I enjoy each moment you wrote abt us. I think I might drop a line or two there. So vivy kerp it up.. your kids will definitely cherish each moment you share π
Hai viy…
So true…. Hanya saja, bila kita dgn anak, takda plak suami ambilkan gambar…
Takpela…. Pengorbanan…
Have a great day!
Love,
Anja78
I kinda agree with Nas. You instastory your kids like crazy.. I think they had enough w/ phone and camera that they start demand no photo please but you just discard it. Take a photo or two, yes. Then put the phone away. Kids might not remember but what matters is as long as they enjoy themselves and have fun. Memories can always be created. Have a good day, v.
so true..use technology wisely.
zmn kt asrama dulu gamba x sampai 10 kpg..huhu mnyesal
From all those post of yours, the stories about Daniel and Mariam who will always get me soooooo emotional. SAD. HAPPY. SMILE. LAUGH MY ASS OUT!!!!! And this entry put me in tears huhuuuu. Oh realllyyyyyy I love your entry about your children. Please write more about em yea Vivy. May Allah showers His rahmah & barakah to you and your fam bam. Amin! :’)
yes I agree but nowadays we only can see those photo thru phone or ipad, that is not so fun. last time when i was young, my mom use to show us our picture in our own album where the every moment will be recape, some will make us laugh until tears hahaha LOL. anyway Kak Vivy, this topic remind me how wonderful my childhood is, write often cz i love to read whatever u wrote either on ur blog or ig. send my regard and kisses to mariam and danial <3 .
I totally agree. I blogged a lot during my school years but somehow I deleted the blog cause I thought I would not need it. Clearly I was wrong. Now I’m trying to get back on track & just jot down whatever happens in my life from now til i’m old.
Seruju sangat Vivy. Phone xde salah apa-apa pun. Kita ni yang kena bijak manipulate kecanggihan teknologi skrg sesuai dengan kehidupan harian kita.
Almost crying. Everything you said is true and I agree with it. Keep inspiring people π
Ahahahaha. Please daddy take mommy’s picture next time.
Hi vivy. Do u need a photographer?? ;D
Yup, sentimental dan sangat mengusik jiwa kalbu bila kenangan menerjah fikiran.
Kenangan yang tak kan pernah datang kembali.
Kenangan yang tak kan pernah diulang.
Kenangan yang akan terus terpatri dalam sabunari.
Tetapi,
Manusia tetap manusia.
Pasti terlupa.
Kerana beribu kenangan indah datang menerpa.
Bukan salah kita melupakan kenangan lama.
Tapi
Salah jika kita tak mahu menyimpan kenangan itu untuk kita mengintai ia suatu hari yang akan datang
Dan yang pasti
Jadilah seperti Vivy
Sang Pencinta Kenangan yang pasti akan dihargai oleh insan tersayang disekeliling nya
Siapa tahu, 20 tahun mendatang
Jiwa terusik, Mata berkaca, Perasaan terobek
Bila mendengar Daniel berkata
“Mommy, terima kasih kerana setia menyimpan kenangan lama kita bersama. Saya sangat sukakannya!”
Love u Mommy Vivy! π
p/s: i will not put my phone away. And after read this, i wanna ti upgrade my phone to iphone 7 so that i can capture the BEST picture and memory. Bhahaha! π
huhuhu…mom always sacrifice…
Wow!
Hi Vivy,
This entry brings tears to my eyes. I can’t agree with you more! My phone is full of videos and photos of my kids now. And when I travel or have to be away from them, I would scroll through my gallery and smile. π
What a melting reading this evening. Kids always having fun when we be with them. You are such a wonderful mommy π
What an inspiring sharing. Solute you for still having such a precious time together despite of your super busiest activity at your daily life. Adore you as a Mom and as carrier woman though!. Such adorable kids you have…and wonderful family too of course π May success be always with you Datin Vivy.
assalam vivy…until now i’ve my own photo album..20+..and i’m still take the photo using my digital camera…we all getting old and the memories of our lives is the one thing that very important to me, i guess…when the kids grown up..u only can see the picture that u’ve captured…so its so sad when we dont have any picture kan…anwy..luv to read ur blog..take care and may allah swt bless us!
Setuju dengan pendapat Vivy. Sebab memori banyak mengajar kita untuk jadi better person.
Paling penting menjadi ibu bapa yang terbaik buat anak-anak kita.
Pasti setiap pengorbanan yang kita lakukan akan mendapat kebaikan pada masa akan datang
Hi Vivy! you are such an insprration and I love to see how you are with your kids, but I have question. What’s your thoughts on the evil eye? My sister is also somewhat like you, who likes to post memories on social media. Don’t get me wrong, under no circumstances do I think that its a wrong thing to do. But most of the adults in my family are saying ” Don’t expose a lot of what is going on in your life. A bit is fine. Because not everyone is going to be happy for you. ” I hope I don’t sound like I’m old fashion or anything, but I was just wondering if anyone has ever advised you on that or not and what your answer to them was. Anyway, again would like to say that you are SUPER INSPIRATIONAL and is model on what a feminist is without being like super hostile ^_^ should be. I hope I get to meet you one day and treat you for dinner or something. π Keep on Striving and may Allah S.W.T bless you.
I am crying right now. This is so beautiful to read with some soft music in my ears. Aweeee. Yes. Memories remain as it is. So, we have to cherish the moments. Have fun reading your blog kak vivy π
You an awesome mom sister Vivy, Masha-Allah. I’ve created my kids social media pages and try to upload our pics & vids to their profiles as often as possible. One day In-Shaa-Allah they can look back & enjoy the special memories all over again. Yip, I’m not in most of the pics either #sacrificeπ€£
Much love
Abashiya Achilles
Cape Town South Africa
Pictures may just be memories frozen in time but they will linger forever in our hearts. Sending lots of love to you, Vivy.
omg this is so beautiful, you are such a wonderful mom β€οΈβ€οΈ