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Memories
A few day ago, my husband, Richard, was looking through tons of photos he has categorized for future use. There were so many! Many of them were taken through the years before we were married. Others I could remember the exact time the camera was clicked. Some brought laughs, others left me amazed that he had captured such beauty. There were sunsets, sailboats against beautiful skies, flowers, barns, windmills and covered bridges. He had captured a single moment in time that would never be exactly the same. I smiled as I remembered walking by the lake or laughing in a restaurant, as we snapped our treasures here and there.
The photo viewing that evening made me think about life and how our memories of life are much like the snapshots we take. They are a moment frozen in time that can excite us or make us sad. Richard and I have control over what we want to capture as we aim our cameras. We don't have that luxury in life.
In our marriage, some of our good memories have been made with camera in hand, strolling the beach together, laughing, making plans for future events or trips, just enjoying the moment. As we thumbed through the pictures, we were reminded that life has gotten so complicated since those times. We once again determined we will "simplify"!
Our little princess, Savannah
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As parents, we have some control over what our children will remember. It's so important that we expose them to activities that will be pleasant someday when they reminiscence. It's those special times that will make them anticipate home comings after they leave home. It's those funny times that will make them plan for some of the same things in their own family. It's those warm fuzzy moments they will want to capture in their own home. Those not-forgotten happenings are compliments to family life long after they occur. They are treasures for young children, though they will not realize it until they think back as adults.
As an adult, my mother wrote of a childhood experience that left quite an impression on her. My sister shared this with me a few months back. It's even more special to me now, with the passing of my mother. I share the tenderness of her words here in her writing, A Memory.
"After dinner we children were sent to play. But I stood at the window. Daddy took some violets from a vase and pinned in Mama's hair. She put a record on the Victrola and they waltzed to a minuet. Mama's face was close to Daddy's. When the music stopped, they kissed. Daddy whistled as he led the mules away to plow the back forty. Mama hummed as she washed the dishes. This was their wedding anniversary."
What kind of moments are we making for our families? I challenge you to make them good. Your actions will last more than your life time. Human hearts have feelings. Little eyes are watching. You're making memories!
"We do not remember days; we remember moments."
~ Cesare Pavese ~
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