Celebrating the Small Things - December 20, 2013

It is Friday again, and a time to stop and take stock of the small things we celebrate, often unknowingly.  Thanks to VikLit, who had the idea for this wonderful bl0g hop, we can remind ourselves of the beautiful things in life that make our days just that much more lovely.  You're welcome to join - head on over to her blog!

Details are at the end of this post.

I remember, years ago, the first time I bought a condolence card for someone.  I write notes now, of course, but I was in 9th grade then (age 13 for non-USA folk) and I wanted to express to someone my regret at her father's death.  The card showed white roses and it said 'God gave us memory so that we could enjoy roses in winter'.

Roses in Winter

It was a nice sentiment and a pretty picture.  At that point I had all my grandparents, both my parents, and had never attended a funeral.

The card was well-received.  And it was true.

Memory allows us to enjoy roses on a snowy day.

I realized this anew over the past week.  Memories of happy times, of good parents, of laughter and caring and some scolding - all came back to me.  And (for those who read Proust) I didn't have to dip a madeleine in my tea...

I was bored, recently, and found myself remembering travels, books, conversations with friends.  In some cases they were better the second (or twelfth) time around.

Relax - it's just meatloaf with an onion at the 'wrist'

What would we do without memory?  How would we know where to go?  How would we equip ourselves for each day's endeavors?  savor a wonderful meal we enjoyed with others? Or avoid the wretched meatloaf served by the corner restaurant?

We wouldn't even be able to sing along with our favorite songs on the radio.  For our passengers in the car, that might actually be a blessing.

So I am celebrating memory.


(And I am remembering that today is a Friday!  I hope you all have wonderful weekends.)