Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Profound Moments

"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?

26 comments:

  1. I really loved this post and was reminded of what actually impacts your life vs. what you think will. I also loved your list of memories, some wonderful and some painful but all from the heart.

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  2. I think a lot about this too. It will be interesting to figure out what they remember. Most likely the kids will be reminding us of some things!

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  3. Thanks for sharing your memories with us MH! You are right that sometimes it is the small uncelebrated moments in life that stick with us the longest. I love everything about this post!

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  4. Thanks for sharing...nice to learn more about you. :-) Hope you are having a wonderful week!

    Blessings
    ,Jill

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  5. As always, very insightful post. Some memories just seem to stick with us forever, don't they? I love recalling the fond ones and the not so fond ones? Well, when they pop up, I just remind myself how far I've come and much I've learned and grown as a result of those.

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  6. This was a great post. I always enjoy learning more about other bloggers. Packing up and moving to Mexico sounds amazing! I bet that was a great experience.

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  7. Your post made me think that the things we remember are not always the things others thought we'd remember...

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  8. What we remember from our childhood is so interesting. I remember a lot! My girls are always asking me to tell them stories about it. I remember good and bad times. I've had so many meaningful moments it's hard to narrow it down to just a few. A bad break up was definitely a life defining moment for me - nothing hurts as much as heartbreak. My mom surviving a 13 hr brain surgery and my husband surviving a brain hemorrhage are definitely 2 moments I'm grateful for!

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  9. Oh what a great post, particulary for being sick. My brother dying, having KLV and going through some rough stuff as a child. Really there is so much when you think of it all.... (i have a similar draft posted so like you a few weeks back - I'll be putting it on the back burner..) Hope your feeling better and I'll e0mail you the article sometime on TH.

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  10. Those are really profound memories. Thanks for sharing them. I wanted to learn karate but never got the chance, I am so happy you got the black belt. Now I am thinking of different memories I had. I remember when I was in high school, my classmate was so amazed that I could still describe what she's wearing on our 3rd year High School Christmas Party and until now, I still remember it.

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  11. I love getting to glimpse into your past and see what helped you to form and become the Mama Hen that we all know and love today! I'm so sorry you're still under the weather, but hopefully you'll start to feel better soon!
    I can remember so many little moments, not so much the big moments. I can remember making pancakes for my family in the morning, my braids just barely staying out of the batter. I can remember nights in bed with my mom while I read aloud to both of us. I remember stroking my brother's cheek when he was first home from the hospital, marvelling how soft his skin was... Thanks for letting me take my own trip down memory lane today!

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  12. That is a painful post. And beautiful and then painful again. :(
    Profound in my life was traveling the planet by ship, marrying my husband and having our family grow, and adoring our animals. The worst thing in my life was losing my father. Thinking about it is heartwrenching. Too fast, too young.
    Bianca

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  13. they'll always remember that they are LOVED! That's what truly matters! Ah, now you've got me thinking...my grandmother's Italian cooking, her hands, snuggling with my mom after my parents divorced, trips to New orleans each year to see family!, summer vacations and MUCH more! Great post, Mama!!!

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  15. Thanks for following my blog! I am now following you back! Have a geat evening! Julie

    stlavonlady

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  16. Wow, such memories. THanks for sharing and a chance to ponder my life memories whether pleasant or painful! GOd bless you =)

    Blog
    www.peacefulislandmother.com

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  17. I really enjoyed reading your list. It's amazing to see how open you are about so many things. Especially things I wouldn't have known from your blog posts as I haven't been a reader that long.

    Thanks for sharing! Wish I had your obvious physical abilities (dance, ballet, karate)!

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  18. Thanks for sharing your special memories with us! It is amazing that you remember some things so early on. I have the worst memory and can have a hard time pulling up anything before I was 12! I'm bad. The good and the bad stuff all come together and make us the person we are today. That is what is amazing to me. We go through so much and somehow we become stronger because of it. Hugs!

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  19. Isn't it odd the things we remember. And don't. I have huge blanks in my life and other things I can recall vividly. Too many to go into here. I'm thankful that I've been able to do so many of the things I love. But the best thing that has happened to me was adopting my children. I needed to be a Mommy. And my dream finally came true.

    Lovely post my friend. Be well soon!

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  20. I love your blog, it's adorable! I follow you as well, thanks so much for following mine!

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  21. Thank you for sharing this post with us. I think a profound moment in my life came when I realized that God truly is in control of the Universe, not just a helpless old fairy in the sky, but the Master who will accomplish His purposes and who loves His children.

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  22. I enjoyed reading this post, it reminded me to be thankful for everything in my life. But my most profound moment was not giving up on having a child. I miscarried, took hormones, invetro, you name it I did it, and for all my hard work I have a wonderful daughter. Having her was the best thing I ever did.
    I'm following you....

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  23. A lovely post that certainly stirred up some memories for me, too many profound moments to share in a comments box.

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  24. Hey! Thanks for checking out and following my blog! I am now your newest follower! :-) look forward to reading your blog!

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  25. I am the same way, I barely remember most of my childhood. Just a few strong memories. Most of them the negative ones. I hope I can fill my children up with so many wonderful experiences that they at least remember that feeling of love you had! xo

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