"The things we recall as being profound in our lives often are not what we would have thought to be so important at the time." ~Mama Hen Being sick and stuck inside has given me plenty of time to ponder. I often have flashbacks as I am driving, doing laundry, washing dishes and so on. As I know we all do. The thing that I have found really amazing is that the moments throughout my life that have stayed embedded in my memory are not always the ones I might have thought would have such an impact. If you think about it, we are creating memories moment to moment, second by second, and the ones that stay must have a reason. I think about this regarding my daughter. We do so many fun things and I wonder what she will remember. A perfect example is when I passed my grammar school the other day. I spent eight years in this private school with the same 24 kids. You would think I would have a bundle of memories and I don't. I remember the Christmas plays and the children that were not so nice and a couple of teachers who did not make me feel so smart (which is why I became a teacher to make sure my students knew how smart they ALL were). But to spend eight years in a place would make you think that more memories would be embedded in my mind. I guess it just did not mean that much to me to keep filed away. I wish I could remember more of my childhood, and I really do not remember a lot, but I do remember a "feeling" of being so loved and cared for. I remember feeling safe and at home. I guess that is what we create for our children over the years. They might not recall all the fun things we did every day, but they will remember the feeling. Here is a list of some of my most profound memories throughout my life.
I remember:
My summer visits to Germany to see my grandparents. I loved the smell of clean sheets and the delicious aroma of bread picked up fresh from the bakery every morning. I also loved visiting my grandparent's garden, having lunch there and visiting the water (they lived on the Baltic Sea).
I recall a horrible accident I had when I was three and also one that I had at a birthday party across the street from our house and my mom came running over ( I must have been 5 or 6).
My mom used to take us to the beach and I did not like all the snails under my feet. I did, however, fall in love with the salt air, the sand in between my toes, and the warm summer breeze.
My mom's yummy cooking! I loved our Sunday morning breakfasts with the whole family, which we did as much as we could until my Dad died.
Loving ballet and wanting to go far with it and being told that because of the accident I had when I was little that I would not be able to go on toe shoes - ever! That hurt a lot.
Doing karate every day except Sunday for years and earning my black belt was a monumental thing. I trained hard for the test and fought 15 black belts for two minute rounds (full contact). I really earned that belt and was proud of myself.
Being a Ballroom dancer when I was a teenager and winning every competition with gold in every dance. I loved that part of my life!
My first boyfriend had a very negative impact on my life and it was during the ten years I spent with him that I learned a lot about the "icky" stuff my parents tried to shelter me from all of my youth. He was my first love and broke my heart in pieces.
Earning money, packing my bags and driving my Jeep down to Mexico to live. That was an amazing part of my life and I grew so much as a person from that experience.
Losing my Daddy while only being in my twenties. I feel like I did not get enough time with him.
Endless miscarriages and difficulty getting pregnant. Having to do Invitro and the stress, nervousness and pain that comes from that experience.
Being blessed with Little Chick and learning that God knows best and does things in His time.
There is so much more to add to the list, especially the little things that I will save for another day.
What is a profound moment in your life?
Talking with grandma.
Hot cocoa in bed. Mmmmmm!
We can't forget dessert!
