Tag Archives: memories

Memories Really Do Matter

I wonder what you would list as the most pivotal moments in your life.  I’m sure there are moments you will never forget, be they good or bad, that shaped you.  Those moments are part of who you are today and your memory of those moments likely impacts how you function and react as an adult.  I think it’s fair to say that Memories Really Do Matter.

42164-Memories-Last-ForeverIn our family’s daily Bible study, we’ve covered Genesis thru Joshua this year.  I’ve been very aware of an interesting trend.  In the Old Testament, when God’s glory and power was revealed, there was often a “memorial” established.

After the world-wide flood, God set a rainbow in the sky as a “memorial”.  Every time we see a rainbow we are reminded of our covenant God.

The Israelites built physical memorials.  Their altars served as remembrances of specific events in the nation’s history:  manifestations of God’s power.  I’ve thought quite a bit about memories, memorials, and mementos.

I am not a particularly sentimental person.  I have some (but not many) mementos from my childhood.  I have several pictures documenting bad hairdos and big, gaudy homecoming mums.  I have my dad’s clarinet.  I’ve saved the metal ruler my dad whacked against the kitchen table (acting as my personal metronome) while helping me prepare for auditions.

I certainly have more mementos from the last 18 years of my life.  I have lots of “treasures” from my husband and my children.  These trinkets fill my heart when I consider each “gift” and the event attached to the memento.

While a memento can kindle a memory, so too can a melody, a certain scent, a special taste, the weather, the date, a sermon, a conversation, or a certain tone of voice.  Unfortunately, memory lane is not always a beautiful street lined with pristine trees and sunshine.

Many of today’s children suffer unimaginable horror that will haunt them in the future.   Their memories of abuse and neglect or indifference will color their relationships and assumptions about people for the rest of their lives.

The questions I wrestle with as a parent sound like this:  What are my children going to remember about their childhood, our family, and me as a parent?  Am I helping build memories that are going to bring my children joy and comfort?  Are their memories going to help them in times of trouble or add fuel to their difficulties in life?  Will their memories of our home strengthen their resolve to be adults with exemplary character or am I crippling my children?  Will they react poorly in future relationships because they see me react poorly today?  Will they remember things I’d rather they not?

When we think of making memories we might be tempted to think big, fantastic, and extra-ordinary; but building memories that provide for future stability and joy do not have to cost a penny.

I want my children to remember that our home was safe and comfortable.  I want them to remember daily prayer and Bible study.  I want them to remember that we loved, encouraged, and respected one another.  I want their memories to be full of times when our family served in the community, prioritized time with cousins and grandparents, and read to learn and grow daily.

Do something today to plant a “seed” in your child’s heart with an expectation that it will germinate and grow and will bring joy and comfort as a memory down the road.  Join the conversation by replying at the top of this post.  Share your plan for planting a seed.

Before you leave the site, follow my blog (top, right of this post).  It’s quick and easy 

For more from Marea, check out Me and Thee Studios’ faith based leveled readers for 1st-2nd graders at http://www.meandtheestudios.com/early-reader-collection.html.

Bacon Really Does Matter

Bacon…  See, I typed the word and you read it, and now we both feel better.  I don’t really know why, but we do.  At the risk of sounding sappy this early in the blog, bacon brings back memories and it tastes amazing.  Dare I say it?  Bacon is a force to be reckoned with!  Let me list some of the things that have the “bacon” brand attached to them.  Bacon soap, bacon chapstick, bacon salt, bacon brownies, bacon wrapped hamburgers, bacon wrapped anything, and bacon cologne.  The last one was actually created by John Farginnay in 1920.

* Side note to the above paragraph – The bacon soap was a gift from great friends and the bacon chapstick was swag from a tech conference.  My wife would not let me use either one…

I feel like I’ve already made my case and I’m just getting started.  You see, dear reader, bacon Really Does Matter.

bacon

According to www.icanhasinternets.com (sounds credible) 70% of all bacon in the United States is eaten at breakfast.   But are there health benefits?  I’m glad you asked!  According to bacontoday.com – “Bacon is chock full of a very important nutrient called “choline,” which helps increase our intelligence and memory” and benefits fetal brain development.  “Bacon provides us with substantial amounts of the important, necessary vitamins and minerals.”  And “several university and medical center studies have shown that including bacon as a regular, moderate part of one’s diet naturally works to lower the body’s blood pressure and blood sugar levels.”  105 year-old Pearl Cantrell is living proof of the power of bacon.  She eats bacon every day and attributes her longevity to the beloved meat.  “I don’t feel as old as I am, that’s all I can say.”

But I digress…  The reason bacon really matters to me may surprise you…  Bacon means memories.  I remember waking to the smell of bacon growing up and thinking, “life is good.”  I remember the Super Bowl party where dear friends brought chocolate-covered bacon to the event.  I ate five pieces before I even realized what was happening.  And then there’s “Doc.”  We have a men’s group at my church and I would do anything for those guys.  We share bacon most Wednesdays and we “do life” together.  About a year ago, we lost a member of the “bacon brothers.”  “Doc” – Kevin Hertel – went home to be with the Lord and left an empty seat at our table.  His quick wit and servant heart was an example to us all.  Great memories!

Help me celebrate August 30th, 2014 this year.  It is International Bacon Day.  (Yes, it’s really a thing.)  It’s a social holiday and that makes sense to me.  Bacon may not solve the world’s problems, but it does make us feel happier.  And we all know we could use a whole lot of happiness these days.

What are your favorite bacon recipes?  Join the conversation by replying at the top of this post.

I must clarify.  My wife (for whom I’m guest blogging) prefers turkey bacon and would probably have chosen a different topic to blog about, but you get what you get when you invite me to guest blog.  Before you leave the site, you should follow my wife’s blog (top, right of this post).  It’s quick and easy and (with the possible exception of this post) relevant for parents and educators.

For more from Marea, check out Me and Thee Studios’ faith based leveled readers for 1st-2nd graders at http://www.meandtheestudios.com/early-reader-collection.html.  You won’t want to miss it!