Simple Moments Make Great Memories

Christmas is a time of great joy and a time of deep sadness. Balancing the two is the challenge.

I’m so blessed to have a wonderful family and that we were able to celebrate together again this year. Now that my girls are grown, I can no longer take for granted that we will be able to celebrate the holidays together and I cherish every moment we have with one another.

I’m also painfully aware of the absence of my mom and grandparents. Especially around the holidays. Missing loved ones seems more painful around times that are associated with joyful celebrations. I’m sure that has to do with all the memories being triggered. Eating our traditional Christmas Eve meal of knoephla soup and shrimp reminded me of the years when they were here to share it with us. As we opened presents, I was reminded of us laughing at Papa as he tried to cheat and open his before it was his turn.

With the passing of time, that pain subsides but never fully goes away. It becomes a new “normal.” I think it also makes me more aware of how we need to live in the moment and appreciate what’s here and now.

I have always tried to remember that time is precious.

That family is important.

That tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.

And for the most part, I do pretty well with this philosophy. It’s the other fraction of time that trips me up. The times when I fight change and long for the days when my kids were little and my family was all together here on Earth.

I cherish the traditions I grew up with and the ones we started when our girls were young. I anticipate new ones starting in the future. Change is as much a part of life as birth and death. (Doesn’t mean I have to like it though.)

I have gotten better over the years at accepting change. I no longer cry for 2 weeks with major changes. Maybe that comes with age. Or maybe it’s having kids; things always change with kids.

Whatever season of life you are in right now, I hope you are able to enjoy the simple moments and make great memories.  

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Anne from Kidderbug Kreations