But as I continue to declutter our home, I'm finding I've saved little bottles of time stuck away in drawers and closets and in boxes in the basement.
I found a pile of love letters from my husband. A photo of our son smelling a flower, sledding in the snow, riding a merry-go-round. There were scraps of paper with encouraging words or lists to Santa or stick-figure drawings with balloon hands and feet. I discovered the award my son won from the church's Bible quiz team. A newspaper clipping of my husband in a church play. There were report cards and dog-eared bookmarks. A lock of baby hair. Even our son's first lost tooth.
And as I clean and discard the things we don't need, I realize that we do need these little memories! They aren't clutter at all. I suppose in a way, the boxes and containers and drawers that hold these wonderful treasures are a bit like bottles that hold memorable and treasured times. And there's always a place in my home for another one.
As I look back through all my years, TIME is one of the most important things to give and to receive. We are given 1,440 minutes in every day. Our today might just be the memory-maker that someone chooses to bottle up and save for tomorrow.
Today I'm asking myself, "How can I take advantage of each moment to make a positive, encouraging, loving memory for someone else?"
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
What a nice post. We should all keep some room for memories!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and prayers,
ReplyDeleteandrea
I even stored memories inside bottles. I had a collection of old bottles found from the beach in Hawaii my first year of marriage. Some were so old, they still had a cork. I was able to sore small memories like dinner receipts from our wedding anniversaries ...vacation & event stubs...King Kamehameha buttons from the moo-moo I made while stationed there.Even white sand from the beach...and Mt St Helen's volcanic dust when it erupted....etc.
ReplyDeleteI can't get some of these memories out of the bottles. The openings were so small, I had to roll the ticket stubs and such to get them inside :)
But mostly, my memories are digital now. Before donating everything in my household, I took digital photos to remember. Even photos of snapshots - some as old as when my mom was a baby. I then was able to pass on all the hard copies to my now grown children. No more storing boxes and boxes of photos!
I love going digital. I can now make digital photo albums for my kids and grand kids and they will be preserved.
Memories were the hardest part of my total downsizing. God really had to work with me in steps. It was a process. But taking the pictures of my stuff was the only way I could let them go. At least I could pull them up with a click of the mouse.
I do feel like a lifetime has somehow slipped out the door though. :(
Just wanted you to know that your encouragement to me on my blog post this week was much appreciated. It has been so long since I've circulated in blog land, I was very surprised to see your welcome footprints at my place.
You're a lasting memory that I will always cherish. I appreciate you !
Blessings
Patrina <")>><
Great post! Those memories become more precious as time goes by. I think of our daughter Missy and the 'bottles' we have. Lots of her childhood art. Photos. Baby shoes. Things that still push our hearts into our throats, choking us with the pain of loss. And yet, a rush of comfort follows as we remember that life here doesn't have the final say. The bottles just lead our hearts toward Home, where she stands watching and waiting along with our precious Savior!
ReplyDeleteMa,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I agree, some memories need room in our homes/hearts.
Andrea,
ReplyDeleteBack to you.
Patrina,
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see you around blog-land again! I missed your inspired posts.
How neat that you actually stored memories in bottles. I had a bottle of ocean water and sand for a long time. Finally tossed it away though.
Digital is definitely the way to go. I can't help but wonder though... one day will flash-drives, CD's, online photo storage - all of that - be obsolete? And I have a nagging thought of what might happen if we have no computers or internet or electricity... now how's that for a bunny-trail? I guess for me there's just something not quite as 'real' as holding a photo in my hands. There's a definite break in my photo file though, that took place when we went digital. Those are all on CD's.
I appreciate you too my friend. Thanks so much for sharing and for the sweet words.
Hugs and blessings!
Deb
Shirley,
ReplyDeleteI know you're blessed to have those bottles of Missy-memories. And I know you cherish the reality that you will see her again.
Praying for you in this season.
Hugs,
Deb