Moments of Our Lives

Moments of Our Lives

There are moments that clamor, 

like births, deaths, and weddings, 

that we always remember. 

And ones that slip in 

like whispers in the wind -- 

a baby's first smile, 

the taste of melting butter 

on a biscuit fresh from the oven, 

the exquisite smoothness 

of a lover's lips -- 

that we never forget.

~~ Ginger Hamilton

For Carol and MLH

A friend of mine has lost her companion of fifteen years. This spoke to me, and although it is far too soon, I wish her the comfort that will eventually be found in treasuring those mem'ries which remain. ~~GH

What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind...

~~William Wordsworth, "Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood"
[Tomorrow: A Mother’s Prayer for Her Child]

Paris in Springtime

It is *never* about the destination. For all the writings about the beauty of the Eiffel Tower (have there BEEN any?), there are zillions more about the train ride, the people, the weather, the lights, the worries, the hopes, the fears, the experiences leading up to and back from, etc. 

All the photo of the tower is, is a reminder of all those other aspects -- to help bring them flooding back from the depths of your memory and allow them to wash over you. 

The same is true with everything else. Although we may have memories of the day we graduated from college or high school, we have many more memories of the years and events leading up to that culmination.

We may well poignantly remember the moment of a loved one's departure, but how many thousands upon thousands of bright stars twinkle in the heavenly sky of our shared experiences? 

Even the artifacts we choose to retain are but triggers that send us strolling down Memory Lane. A ring, a stuffed animal, a pressed leaf or flower, a certain food, the scent of lavender, a song.

A picture worth a thousand words? What an understatement. ~~GH

Flashbacks

Flashbacks exist to gain sudden insight to illuminate your path. They aren't torches you carry but streaks of lightning. 
          ~~ Ginger Hamilton

[Tomorrow: On Love and Marriage]

Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Today was the first day of my youngest child's senior year in high school. Thirteen years ago, she marched off to kindergarten with a big smile. Her dad and I watched with pride and trepidation. We stood, holding hands, as she walked off into Eternity, leaving us behind in a meaningful way. We comforted each other then.

But today, I endured this milestone alone. She smiled at me, head cocked slightly to the side, proud and confident, hands on hips as I snapped a couple of photographs to record the moment. As if I needed a physical record of something that will remain in my memory forever.

I literally set the alarm clock to make my photo. Why was it important to take photos? Because her father wasn't here to witness this milestone. And even though he chose that reality and I could just as easily have shut him out like many suggest is appropriate, it was within my power to include him. Again, it was a gift I could give that cost me nothing and meant a lot to him. And I know he appreciated it.

Why do people feel the need to punish one another? I will never understand that dynamic. Don't get me wrong -- I have more than my share of mean thoughts. I am no saint. I don't even play one on TV. It's just that who does it end up hurting, really, when you do something to harm another? I believe it damages your own psyche. And mine is damaged enough already.

Anyway, as I stood in the hallway with my iPhone, prepared to photograph KJ, Judy Collins' voice called out to me: "Who knows where the Time goes?" My life has kind of a soundtrack, you see. Music and lyrics pop up like Pop-Up Videos throughout the events in my life. It's kinda neat, actually. 

So I looked up the lyrics and turns out, she is not alone while her love is near her. I guess that leaves me out, eh? Or is my love my actual love, the love that resides within me and is part of me and IS me? Maybe I am not alone as long as I retain the capacity to love. I think I'll take that meaning from it.

For your listening pleasure: Judy Collins and "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" Keep your love alive.~~GHC