It's 1976 and my Mom is having me sit still for what feels like an eternity, while she "sets" my pigtail curls that are wrapped tightly around her fingers. We are getting dressed up and I am thrilled about it! I am jealous that my older sister gets to wear the elephant-riding-a-bicycle pin. We are shuffled outside to a van. Yes, a portable portrait studio set up in a large caravan-type van. Smiles are given and memories are captured. This image is of me (yes, the pigtails) and my six older sisters. (yes, we are 7 lovely young ladies, are we not?)

I love looking at our family images from so long ago... I was only 5 when this image was taken but because I have it, I can reminisce about the goings-on of that day. I know that the elephant pin held a secret chamber filled with creme perfume. I know that my mother crafted the pink dresses my sister and I are wearing. I know that, for those few moments, the world stopped and nothing mattered but family. 

Family matters. Period. So, go ahead and make some extra time for the special people in your life today!