Inspired by Memories

I lost my knife this past weekend. I carried it with me daily for 26 years. My father-in-law gave it to me the first time we met which was about a week after I married his daughter.  While being very utilitarian, it has also served as a daily reminder of my family overseas. I can tell myself it’s just a knife but something much bigger has been lost.

 

We all have things that tie us to people, places or events in our lives, and often we enjoy being reminded of them. Why not allow ourselves the opportunity to be reminded more often? It could be a simple as jumping on Google to order that Rolling Stones T-shirt your dad always wore while mowing the lawn, or a little more involved like finding the china pattern your grandmother pulled out for special occasions.

 

Our gardens allow the same opportunity to immerse ourselves in memories. The sights, sound, smells and experiences of our past can be brought to the forefront even if we can’t duplicate exactly what we remember. Maybe you have memories of sharing a swing with your best friend as a child whom you are still in touch with but are separated by three states. Build your own swing in your back yard. It may not look the same or have the same plants around it, but every time you sit in it you will be reminded of why you built it and that will be enough. Remember that tin wash basin on Grandma’s back porch with all the pretty flowers? $50 and two hours, and you are reminded of those wonderful visits.

 

Give this some thought. Who do you want to remember? Make the effort, and reap the reward. You never know who might want to remember what you have done someday.