The Renovating Reverend

Tonight, I heard loud, jazzy Christmas music, so I went to the window to see what might be happening. I was treated to a Christmas light bicycle parade. A happy group of (probably freezing cold) people were riding bikes all decked out in strings of Christmas lights. The bike with the blinking lights on the tires was my favorite. Simply fun.

This tends to be a time of year that’s full of all sorts of traditions, some old and some new. And many of those traditions stir a lot of memories, some pleasant and some not so pleasant. This weekend I overhead a couple of people talking about all the stress and aggravation they’re experiencing as they try to uphold old traditions and make perfect memories for their family members. I had to wonder if, with all the freaking out they were doing, these two people would manage to catch and appreciate the less-monumental, naturally occurring, every day sort of memories that many of us cherish.

The best memories, in my experience, are the ones that aren’t manufactured or “set up.” For example, whenever I make the bed, I think of a time when my husband and I made the bed together, very early in our relationship. As we attempted to spread the top sheet over the bed, he flipped his side one way, and I flipped mine the other…and then we both flipped opposite directions again…we had it all twisted up. It was completely unintentional, and we had to laugh. A simple, pleasant, every day memory that I hold in my heart, along with countless others, that touch me more deeply than memories of big events can.

If this season finds you all wrapped up in big plans, stressing about how you’re going to make those great memories happen, or if you find yourself reminiscing and feeling blue, take notice of your simple, pleasant daily experiences, and let new memories happen.