Memories, sweeten thru the ages just like wine

From an Elvis song:

"Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine...."

Tomorrow morning I leave Michigan and head back to California. I've had a wonderful visit with my mom and siblings here and got to share with them, the wonderful memories I have from the reunion.

What an amazing gathering we had! For many years I had hoped that this would happen and it finally pulled together with the persistance from some amazing ladies. Now that we've done it, it should be easier to make it happen year after year.

Living in California I am far away from my immediate family and it hasn't been easy to visit them over the years. There was a time I hadn't seen my mom and brothers and sisters for nearly six years. When I finally did I made a vow to myself to not let that much time go by again. I try to see them every year and I've come pretty close. After the visit I would cry and cry when it was time to go. The love in our family runs deep and pulls at the heart when we must tear apart. I would be so sad that my "vacation" was over and I had to return home to the routine things. Then one day my perspective changed. Instead of being sad that it was over, I realized how blessed I was to have the opportunity to visit. Since then, each time I get to visit my family my heart soars as I receive another blessing. Yes, I miss them dearly when we are apart but recognizing that blessing eases the pain a bit as I aniticpate the next blessing.

I am so thankful that we all got to spend a few days together. We laughed and we shared. It doesn't get any better than that! As we live our lives we work and do our best to live and accumulate the things that are important to each of us. The one thing that is unique to each person is the memory of the experience. Yes, we all went to the reunion and experienced it together, but the memory that each of us took away is unique to the person. And that makes it a masterpiece! The definition of "Sacred" is something who's value can not be measured. The gift that each of us is given is a period of time in this life. Once we spend that time it can not be taken back. When I spend "time" with someone I recognize that they are giving something to me that is in short supply and they can not take it back. I realize how Sacred and precious that time is and I am so thankful that I get to share in it.

I am not one to dwell in the past. I try not to pine over lost opportunities or regrets. The past I can not change, it's gone, therefore I focus on this moment and the moments to come. I have my memories to cherish and look forward to the memories to come. In the end our lives will be measured by the moments we touch others. We become part of someone's memories.

I have learned a lot in this life. I've had to go inward to understand the challenges presented to me and then dig up the strength to meet that challenge. It was extremely difficult but the single most important thing that gave me the courage and strength was my family. I thank God every night.

Our family is as solid as a mountain and I truly feel blessed to have each and every one. I love the memories that I have and look forward to the memories to come. So, let's all make a vow to do this again. Let's start planning for the next time that we can get together and make some beautiful memories!

I love each and every one of you and am so thankful to have you in my life.