Precious Memories
Recently a childhood neighbor of mine past away. It is times like this that bring me to reflect on all of the cherished memories that float around in my mind; all of those childhood visions within me. So many people have crossed my path in my lifetime; some will forever be rooted deep within me.
These moments are always a reminder to really look at the important things in life–to enjoy every second that I have and make it the best it can be regardless if life is going the way I wished it to go or not. When I blink, moments become precious memories. I want to hold on to those times and make them the best I can. Someday life may take them from me.
Why is it humans sometimes fail to see this when they are in their current state? Time often has to pass before humans realize just how special these moments are. It is so important to live in the now and if we fail to do this life will make sure to show us if we only look.
I find myself worrying about my father. He is starting to have moments of forgetting. The day before Thanksgiving my mother found him standing in the kitchen with a confused look on his face. She asked him what was wrong and he said he could not remember where I lived. She told him and then he remembered. But for that brief moment he was lost within himself. A memory was taken from him and he couldn’t find it within his mind.
My youngest daughter went to the service for my neighbor. As she entered the church she saw my parents and walked over to the pew where they were sitting. As she slid in she said my father looked at her as if she was just a total stranger sitting next to him. She said, “Hi Pap” and he looked at her confused and said hi. She said the look on his face was one of confusion. She felt like he didn’t even realize she was his granddaughter.
I always loved my dad. He was a great father and a wonderful teacher. My father always had an open heart. He is the person who would be there for people when they needed him. He always tried to do things out of kindness and help the neighbor that needed help. Even at his age now he is still the one going to cut the neighbors grass or get out the snow blower to clear a neighbors driveway because they are unable to do so and need the help. He really does have a wonderful spirit. If I had to pick one person who gave me the good parts of who I am today I would have to say it was my father. He was the person who would walk into the kitchen and tell his children just how much he loved them and how much they meant to him. He is the one who taught me to open up my heart and love—to always tell my children that I love them and to always be there for them, as he was always there for me.
It saddens my heart to see my dad aging. I noticed over the past years that he was beginning to age. It seemed to come in spurts. One holiday he would look really good and then another holiday I would look at him and feel the sadness of his aging. I was beginning to see that time was going by and my dad was now aging.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be born with the knowledge of life? To really understand that nothing is forever and not take a moment of life for granted?
Too many times in life I have fallen short of living each moment to its fullest. The pains of life have sometimes gotten in the way and stopped me from letting my soul flow and be who I truly am. I knew this as a child but as time went by this part of me closed off.
It wasn’t until I took these last seven years to myself that this is a part of me began to blossom once again. I find myself trying to live each day with an open heart. I no longer look for my happiness inside of someone else. I realize all my happiness is within me. I strive to make every memory I can a good one. I want to live in the moment and remember just how good life really is. As I get older I realize nothing is forever and I want to hold on to these moments for as long as I can. Someday life may take them from me. But one thing that will always live on is the love I hold deep within my heart for the people who have crossed my path and made me who I am today and filled my life with the blessings we call Precious Memories.
I love you dad! <3
"Precious Memories"
Precious memories, unseen angels,
Sent from somewhere to my soul.
How they linger, ever near me,
And the sacred past unfolds.
Precious memories how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul.
In the stillness, of the midnight.
Precious sacred scenes unfold.
Precious father, loving mother
Fly across the lonely years
and old home scenes of my childhood
in fond memory appears
Precious memories how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul.
In the stillness, of the midnight.
Precious sacred scenes unfold.
I remember Mother praying
Father too, on bended knee
the sun is sinking, shadows falling
but their prayers still follow me
Precious memories how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul.
In the stillness, of the midnight.
Precious sacred scenes unfold.
Precious memories fill my soul.