I know... I am back to memories! There are reasons for this:
- I visited with an elementary school teacher (who is 98 years young);
- I attended my high school class' 50th Reunion; and,
- A friend just died of a prolonged illness.
All are reminders of time passing... precious time and memories!
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What is written in your Life Book? (Photo: North Salinas High School Yearbook Cover)
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I am reminded of Barbra Streisand's song, The Way We Were:
"Memories
Like the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were.
Scattered pictures
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were."
I am learning several things about these memories: the fragile nature of life... what is important and what we treasure... stability and change.
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How do you see yourself? (Photo: Graduation Photo - Larry Gardepie)
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As I listened to and observed my classmates of 50 years ago, I became curious about the paths people took, decisions made, families and legacies: what was recalled from days long past and what we made of our lives.
People remembered that I was a long-distance runner... and that I was quiet. If we are still in touch, they know that I love to travel, family and friends are important, and that I have had a varied career (teaching, youth ministry, seminary, human resources, project management, software implementation and design, consulting).
What are those memories in the corners of your mind?
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What has changed... and is still changing... in your life? (Photo: Seville, Spain 2013 - Larry Gardepie)
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As I returned to my "quiet self" of 50 years ago, I realized that is still part of who I am.... but it no longer speaks of whom I have become. I am no longer the quiet person people remember. I -- and we -- are much, much more than the memories!
I believe the gift of reunions and memories is to establish a shared base of what we knew... back then. The beauty of dialogue is the discovery of how we have changed... and what is important to us now.
This is a lifelong process: remembering Yesterday's Person while accepting the freedom and challenge to honor Today's Awareness.
This freedom extends to how we see and treat others in our lives... not trapping them in the Memory Corners we have constructed but smiling and accepting today's discovery.
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Larry Gardepie
(click on link for website) |