Savoring the Memories
“Give me the WILD children with their BARE feet and SPARKLING eyes! The RESTLESS, churning climbers. The wild ones using their outside voices, singing ALL THE WAY HOME. Give me the WONDER-FILLED glorious mess makers DREAMING of mountains and mud, and aching to RUN through the field of stars.”
Nicolette Sowder
Just this week my mom and I were talking about how much we miss children. Where I grew up there was plenty of space for children to play and explore, it was a child’s dream come true. I can say this because that’s exactly how I felt there. If children were not at our house, we were still close enough to neighbors that we could hear children playing and laughing. My parents, also, opened our home to many, and I am forever grateful for these opportunities. Family, friends, the children I kept, and even to complete strangers. The last easter egg hunt we had, we had just as many new faces as we had familiar 😊
Even beyond my childhood days, children were always around. One reason, it was my job. Another reason, is that we love them. And also, my friends and family started having children. Whether they were at our house, or we were going to cheer them on in soccer, gymnastics, dance, etc, they were constant heart-lifters in our lives.
That season of life was very very good. And life is still very very good. It’s just a different one. Less space, weaker immune systems, and the good ole wear and tear on the body at some point takes a toll. And the kids I kept are grown 😩. And the little ones in my family are growing fast as well. We still get to have children around every now and then, and these days are the best! But the absence of the abundance of children in the last few years got me to thinking about savoring the memories.
I love being able to look back on handwriting, or hear someone’s voice or watch a video when I am missing someone. Now this is possible more than ever! (Right now I have a package sent of the Legacy Box of some reels – that have my great grandparents and grandparents on them – and cassettes – that have multiple voices that I can’t wait to hear. I’ll let you know what I think of the finished product when I receive it!)
Allow me to share some of my favorite ways to savor memories:
- The Christmas after my Lucy Scoops ran ahead of me into the arms of Jesus, I made “memory boxes” for her cousins. I started their “collection” with memories written on the back two wooden painted shapes- one favorite memory of them with Lucy, and one favorite memory that I had with them. These boxes were for any memories they wanted to keep in a special place.
- These boxes can be made with a child easily! And really fun if you don’t mind getting a bit messy and crafty! You can buy kraft boxes or use your creativity- but a box with a lid is likely the best. Provide glue and paper scraps, paint, etc.
- Then add notes or items that remind them of the times they have had with you.
- At our Lake house every summer I would put up a large piece of foam board on the wall. My niece and nephew would pick the “song of the summer” for me to write out on the board, and then throughout the summer everyone would write memories that happened that summer! If you have younger children, I would suggest poster board that crayons can write on. 😉 Permanent marker is a bit harder to remove from walls or floors.
- Memory Jar: this is super easy. I got a large jar with a lid (although doesn’t have to have a lid) and then had scrap paper for anyone to write down a memory. This also is fun to have near the kitchen table or family room. We had a bunch of fun asking would you rather questions and conversations questions, etc and recording them. It’s a whole lot of fun to go back in a couple of years and read your responses!!!
- I always have a notebook of some sort. Small 3in x 5in spiral notebooks or pocket size notepads are always helpful to have because a memory can hit at any moment! Plus you can simply tear it off and place it in a memory box or jar!
You already know I LOVE questions. I LOVE children. I LOVE family. I passionate about quality products and websites that promote family and community. So here are a few of my favorite things that I use to savor the memories:
Conversation Starters/Getting to know you/Family Questions:
Table Topics: I actually used to sell these – some of the packs can be questionable (slumber party and girls night out- were the two I wasn’t impressed with), so pay attention to the ones you pick. Any of the family and kids ones are highly recommended!!! https://tabletopics.com/pages/sample-questions?srsltid=AfmBOopIYiUFg47rCThE-h9JgT5IT84PjJ3VjVgqGev0UgvsbMhm-3_Y
Link to the Wood painted shapes that I referred to above. These are perfect for writing notes or quotes on the back and even sending them in the mail 😊 https://www.hobbylobby.com/search?HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5BhitsPerPage%5D=12&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5Bfacets%5D%5B0%5D=%2A&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5Bdistinct%5D=true&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5BfacetingAfterDistinct%5D=true&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5BtypoTolerance%5D=true&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5Bquery%5D=painted%20wood%20shapes&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5Bfilters%5D=&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bconfigure%5D%5BuserToken%5D=9c3bb7f261934b9ea59917381858d8161726764222329&HLNextGenEcommIndex_prd%5Bpage%5D=1
Memory Boxes:
Life Book of the Week: The Memory Box, by Joanna Rowland
