Friday Photo: Back to the Future

Posted on February 10, 2012 by

Some days I wish for that machine from ‘Back To The Future’ – the one where I could climb in and time travel backwards.  In the movie, Marty McFly found himself thirty years back in 1955, smack in the middle of his parent’s romance.

Mainly, I’d travel back to beautiful places I’ve been in my life. I’d love the convenience of pushing a button and finding myself in a new location.  If I felt like great adventures, I’d go to Nicaragua.  For youthful abandon, I’d wake up in a hostel in Amsterdam.  Missing my childhood pen pal? I’d go back to Yorkshire, England.  Nostalgia for family who have passed on would send me back to Sherman Oaks, California.  A yearning for academic stimulation would find me in Berkeley.

Today I want to jump in with Marty and travel back to the place where generations of my family have landed before me.  I want to walk on the soft white sand towards the lone Cyprus.  I want to climb over to Bird Rock and peek into the Whaler’s Cabin at Point Lobos.  I want to climb Hawk Tower and stare into the Pacific, imagining Jeffer’s view from the early 1900s.  I want to watch my babies bury themselves in the sand of the Bird Sanctuary Beach and giggle as they wiggle their toes free.

Then tomorrow I’ll be back in 2012, immersed in life as I know it today. I’ll be driving from mountain to mountain, cheering my children as they catapult down the ski run.  I’ll be packing lunches and loading skis, grading papers and doing laundry, unloading groceries and washing dishes.

But just for today, could you open the door and let me have a moment just for me?

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Comments: 29

  • GJT

    February 13, 2012

    Oh how I could spend hours thinking about where I’d go in the touch of a button! Florence for the night my husband and I first said we loved each other…the beach we used to go to as kids to relive those moments of wonder…but I digress. Thanks for your post and allowing my mind to travel along with yours…

    Visiting from vB – congrats on being a Featured Member!
    Gina
    http://www.totallyfullofit.com

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      Thanks, Gina! Yes, those ‘moments of wonder’ would be great to relive with my adult sensibilities!

      Reply
  • David C. Burton

    February 13, 2012

    I thoroughly loved my summer in Kenya, teaching at a seminary. While the adventures with missionaries to the “touristy” spots were great, i’d prefer the more “natural” adventures which my adult students would take me for the chance to explore their lives: a walk to the local village with Jean Pierre and Lovemore, a matatu trip to the market with charles, a matatu trip to his mother’s house for a home cooked meal (Kenyan cuisine) with Moses. I’d go back there! Bring on the ugali with beans & rice!!!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      David, those are wonderful memories-thank you for sharing! I wish you many more for this summer in Indonesia!

      Reply
  • Roxi Santiago

    February 13, 2012

    Oh I would sometimes wish that I can go back in time or go ahead in the future. Especially when I really messed up or I get anxious waiting for something to come. But here we are, stuck in the now. Just gotta live it!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      So true, Roxi! Trying to be present in the moment is the best strategy.

      Reply
  • Tamika Rybinski

    February 12, 2012

    I think I would go back to the night my firstborn was born, they gave me too many pain meds and I was drugged though the whole thing. There are so many first moments I missed with her, that I have treasured and feel blessed to have experienced with my other 2. I wouldn’t even go back to change or prevent the cancer or 2 near fatal accidents I have had. If given the chance I would change that night. I would be alert and able to remember each noise and the moment we looked into one anthers eyes.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      Wow, Tamika…powerful. Thank you for reminding me to remember that moment I had with my children.

      Reply
  • Steve@software development companies

    February 12, 2012

    I think anyone would like to have such a machine because sooner or later we do something that we want to change later on. That’s natural as we are human beings and we always mak mistakes.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      Yes, Steve, that’s true. When I wrote this I wasn’t necessarily thinking of changing my past, but I see how that could be a good thing!

      Reply
  • Dee

    February 12, 2012

    Dear Jennifer,
    As with all who have commented thus far about the power of your posting, I, too, traveled back to the people who have touched my life–those who raised me; those who educated me; those who befriended me. Thank you for encouraging me to remember.

    Peace.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      You’re welcome, Dee. I hope we can remember this before those people are gone from our lives.

      Reply
  • spanish4kiddos

    February 11, 2012

    Love that movie ‘Back to the Future’. I wouldn’t mind traveling in time to go visit my family in Argentina, which is a half day travel from the United States.
    Have a great weekend 🙂

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      I hope you get to make that trip soon-I’d love to go to Argentina, too!

      Reply
  • The Pepperrific Life

    February 11, 2012

    Oh, how I wish it were that easy to go back in time. If I had a time machine, I’d go back to prom night :). I’d relive every happy moment…

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      Hi Pepper-that sounds like fun! Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  • insomnia

    February 10, 2012

    I’d like to go to woodstock. The original. Play in the mud and listen to great music.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 11, 2012

      That sound like fun….well, I’m not so into the mud part, but the music part for sure!

      Reply
  • Susan Kane

    February 10, 2012

    Where would I want to go?? Back to 1964. My grandfather was alive then, and there are so many things I would like to know about his life, WW1, his family.

    Reply
  • ReviewsSheROTE Pamela R

    February 10, 2012

    I’d love to go back…..but I’d like to go farther-I’d love to meet JESUS!!

    Stopping in with vB =)

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 14, 2012

      Pamela, that would be quite a trip! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  • Mauntie

    February 10, 2012

    I would love to go back and spend time with my mother who died when I was 26 yo. Way too young! There are so many things I need to ask her and tell her. I was too young myself at the time to realize how fleeting the moments were. I am smiling right now thinking how lovely that visit would be! Gotta go – I’m having an imaginary conversation!

    Mauntie from VB

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 11, 2012

      Oh Mauntie, that makes me sad. I’m glad I was able to make you smile about it, though 🙂

      Reply
  • aliciamarie911

    February 10, 2012

    If only life would allow us to go back to times such as the ones you mentioned. I would go back to Venezuela, where my heart was left in 2007. I would choose El Salvador to love on little children that I miss today. I would go back to a time where I chose to stay away from the hospital instead of visiting my grandfather before he passed away.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Wolfe

      February 11, 2012

      Thank you, Alicia. I guess the lesson here is that we should appreciate the moments we have for what they are.

      Reply
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