“Empty chairs. Missing loved ones. Lord, how their voices once filled the room, as their echoes fill it now.” – Mitch Albom
During this time of year, many of us reflect on what we have to be thankful for.
Oftentimes, we equate our thankfulness with “things” – tangible items we see with our eyes or can touch with our hands.
While there are certainly “things” to be thankful for that fall under the category of basic necessities and even health, this year I find myself thankful for something much different – much more personal.
This year, I’m thankful for something you can’t see with your eyes or touch with your hands. No, it’s something you FEEL in your heart.
This year, I’m thankful for the memories.
A frightening reality of life is our inability to predict how long our journey here on earth will be. For some it may be a century – for others it may only be a decade.
But regardless of the duration, we’re creating invaluable memories during that time that we often call upon when we’re sad and lonely or just need a little reminder of how much we are loved.
Never underestimate the power of memories, and always do your best to create them whenever possible. They’re truly magic to the soul.
In her book The Story Girl, Lucy Maud Montgomery writes, “Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.”
So this year, while I’m carving the Thanksgiving turkey, stringing lights and hanging decorations on my Christmas tree or flipping through an old photo album, I’ll rejoice in the plethora of memories I know will be swirling all around me.
While the pain of loss can certainly be overwhelming around the holidays, remember to be thankful for all the memories, all the laughter, all the love that will always surround your heart.