Memories

reflections of our lives...

Dec 02, 2023

“Memories are special moments that tell our stories…”

silver-colored framed eyeglasses on white printer paper — Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Many years ago my Dad wrote a poem called “Cleaning the Basement”. It described ordinary items in the corner of a basement and as he looked at them, how memories flooded his mind. Ordinary objects but with them, were attached individual memories.

If you take a moment right now and just look around you, I am guessing you may be reading this essay on your phone or laptop. You are sitting, probably in a comfortable chair and I would also guess that if you took a moment to absorb your surroundings, you would be surprised at all of the memories that are around you…

Sometimes the memories are vivid…sometimes they are faint…but they exist. Within each of us is our own story and our own unique memories attached to that story.

As you recall and remember, take a moment to also be grateful…As my mother would say, no matter what your circumstances, there is much to be grateful for…

In 2022, my siblings and I were given the task of going through our late mother’s possessions. There were many things that she saved and as we sorted through them, we learned even more about the mother that we thought we already knew so well…

She kept report cards, school projects, homemade gifts from each of our childhoods…She saved so many things that brought her joy and that she also knew would someday possibly bring us that same joy.

And then there were the more ordinary objects…like the shirt on a hook that was in my father’s poem. For example, we came across a pair of eyeglasses my Dad wore in the 1940’s…something my mother kept for over 70 years…An ordinary object to some but a treasured memory to her.

So what did I learn from that experience?

Sometimes life has difficult circumstances where you need to face choices that are challenging and it is during those times when those positive memories can give you the courage you need.

It is said that the best things in life are the people you love, the places you go and the memories you make…That’s a valuable lesson and also another example of how the love of my parents continues to influence me…and gives me hope for the days ahead…

What do you think?

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Tranquil Moments…

I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:

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