Cherish

I've spent the start of my break in Firth with my family.  Jamie and I have kept busy today by going through some of the things that Mom had stashed away.  We found many treasures...we found the dress that Mom wore to my wedding, and it fit me...we found my FAVORITE childhood book...Little Boy with a Drum (rat-a-tat-rat-a-tat rum-a-tum-tum)...we found the book The Wonderful Way that Babies Are Made, which I remember reading the small print meant for parents and thinking we were so sneaky...we found a trunk full of baby clothes that we must have worn when we were tiny......we found a Gators sweatsuit which must have been a hand-me-down from our Florida cousins...we found our Cabbage Patch Kids dolls...we found a copy of Love You Forever, which Mom had left a special note in.  Of course, we also found a lot of things that can be sent to garage sales, Goodwill, or the trash can.

However, we also found some things that seem to have had sentimental value, or family history, but we don't know the stories.  We found some tiny (real) silverware...baby spoons and such...some silver serving dishes...a couple of sets of china...even the sets of real silverware that Mom had told me about, and told me which set went to which one of us, and I can't even remember those details!  It's another reminder to take the time to ask for the stories...find out what the family heirlooms are and what makes them so special...  Especially this time of year, when we spend time with family and friends, take the time to BE present and cherish that time together.  You never know when a day will come that you'll wish you had asked this, or done that.

I am thankful for the time I've had with my sister today, sharing memories, laughs, and time together. I'm looking forward to a bit more time with my family, and then some time with Tim and his family a little later in the week.  We are surrounded by family that loves and supports us unconditionally, and for that I am forever grateful!