What can I say? Too many friends have recently died. They are gone, and yet, I can still see their faces, hear their stories and advice — often repeated. And I regret I didn’t spend more time with them; I was too busy, and weren’t they always going to be there, offering me something to drink and sharing their favorite jokes? But friends dying is also a wake-up call that someday I will be joining them — hopefully not too soon.
My parents passed away in 1987 and 2000, and since they didn’t believe in talking about themselves, I never knew much about their lives: when and how they met, what they did during the war, their ambitions. What memories I do have are fading, like everything else that happened more than a week — or a day ago!
Having missed my parents’ stories and knowing someday I won’t be around to share mine, I started thinking about what I want to leave for my children, so when their memories also begin to fade, they will know about my life; and remember our times together and how I loved them.
So, what are those small treasures that have special meaning in your life, that your children would cherish and keep, so they won’t be wishing they knew more about your life?
Here are some examples I found that might help you decide what to include in your box of memories.
• Your first passport with the country stamps from all the worldly places you visited
• Certificates of special recognition.
• Pictures of your family’s pets.
• A playlist of your favorite music — in a format they can use.
• Your old report cards, especially with teacher comments. On second thought, skip that one.
• A favorite book or vinyl album.
• Letters or journals — Your thoughts, advice, memories in your own handwriting.
• A printed photo of your wedding.
• A sentimental piece of jewelry, and it doesn’t have to be something they would wear.
• The photo of the first time you held them — because the first time is always priceless.
• Pictures of family adventures.
• Heirlooms — Jewelry, watches, quilts, or anything with sentimental history.
• An item from your parents that holds special meaning.
• Special childhood keepsakes: baby books or artwork.
• A family cookbook with your favorite dishes and notes.
• Documents or objects that represent family traditions — the Christmas stockings you hung up every year.
• Something silly, like an old receipt with the date to prove what everyday items used to cost.
• A favorite plant, so on those hot summer days when they have to water it, they will think of you. Okay, maybe skip that one also.
• Your written life story — it doesn’t have to be a book. Even a short memoir or a timeline of your life helps them understand who you were.
And what they may cherish most is a short recording of your voice, or a video of you telling a story, or a “letter for the future.”
These are just a few ideas for creating a box of memories that your children will keep and even pass down to their children, so they can use this box of memories to look back and remember your life and the stories from the wonderful days that were.
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Brain Tease: This number puzzle trains your brain to spot patterns, and for this one, you will have to think outside the envelope.
What is unique about 8549176320 ?
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The not-so-mighty slugger who brought no joy in Mudville by striking out was Casey. I received correct answers from Bruce Johnson, Doug Nelson, Stephen Woolpert, Mike McFarlane, Linda Frizzell, Donna Mollet, Judy Kiser, Rebecca Abrams, Rhonda Spies, Dave Lutgens, Craig Terry, Ken Jernstedt, Julie Hoffman, David Liberty, Eva Summers, Marny Weting, Tina Castanares, Pat Evenson-Brady, Mike Monroe, and Ellen Black, who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week, while reminiscing about Nixon’s surprising 1971 visit to China, I missed Mike McFarlane, Stephen Woolpert, and Rebecca Abrams. And the week before, I missed Mike Monroe.
This film, which premiered half a century ago, was the ultimate underdog story. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this summer blockbuster that told a story of grit, determination, and triumph? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send a video of Sylvester Stallone running up the stone steps leading to the entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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Well, it’s been another week, trying not to say or write anything dumb — at least not too often. Until we meet again, I really miss complaining about the cold!
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“If you keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it’s just possible you haven’t grasped the situation.” — Jean Kerr, writer
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