Memories

“Some of the most ordinary moments make up my favorite memories.”

– Leenie

This pic of Chief Daddy and Mommy is in my Facebook memories today. When I was growing up, our family’s weekend agenda always included going to Quantico or Fort Belvoir to shop at the commissary and the exchange. It went without saying.

When I left home after college, my mom would always ask, “Do you want to go to the base?” if I was coming up to visit. I appreciated the feeling of still being a part of the household rather than the adult-child visitor. I felt the sense of grounding, that some things never change.

My favorite memories come from the ordinary days, events, or conversations with family and friends that stick with me. I mean, yeah, graduations, weddings, reunions, holiday gatherings, and those kind of events are great, but they’re just really “obvious”. The moments that seemed least significant stick with me because of how I felt in the moment.

Summertime brings back a lot of childhood memories of staying busy while we were out of school. We would ride our bikes to hang out at each other’s houses, and while I don’t remember everything, I remember we laughed. A lot. When we were old enough to drive, we would go fishing at the lake or rent a rowboat or play mini-golf, and I still remember the laughs from briefly feeling lost when we rowed too far out of one lake or not knowing our strength on an uphill putt. Simple things. And we may not have always laughed, but still being able to recall how I felt in those moments means I have memories of time well-spent because of the people with whom I spent it.

I snapped the pic of my parents because I felt amused at their almost-matching outfits. Chief Daddy’s light blue design in his shirt went well with Mommy’s blue gingham shirt. I remember asking, “OMG, are y’all now that couple that has to match when they go out?” 😉

Lately my Instagram account has been pictures or videos of things that make me smile and feel joyful – Mizz Lady, MyKi, birds in my backyard, silliness with my family – and I feel even happier when others let me know that it added a positive vibe to their day.

When I look back through my posts, especially if I’m feeling weighed down by something, I feel grateful that I preserved memories of the little things. They’re so easy to duplicate and raise the vibration. As much as my brother, the one who played in the national tour of The Sound of Music, has gotten tired of a particular song, the lesson in the lyrics is simple for cheering up one’s self.

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”

My Favorite Things, Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music

Some days it’s not so easy, but it’s a start.

Luceat lux vestra.