Saturday, November 21, 2009

six word saturday

...

Reliving the past through my memories.

I am sitting here in my mother-in-law's home, surrounded by my memories of not only this house but of this city and area where I spent my teenage and young adult years.

Stella's house has not changed much since her son grew up here, met a girl and fell in love, and that girl (me) spent so much time getting to know her future husband and his family. The same pictures are on the wall, the same books on the shelves, even most of the furniture is the same. Stella might feel embarrassed that not much has changed over the 30 plus years, but I find it comforting.

As I drive through the streets, I'm washed with memories of places lived, of friends, of schools, of church... and again, it's comforting, but also a bit distracting. When at home, I don't give these things a second thought. I'm immersed in my own life, the present and the future. But when I'm here, in my old home town, I seem to live most of my moments in the past.

Is this normal? It seems with each trip back here, the more I want to stay in this place of remembering the past, reflecting on who I used to be and the experiences - big and small - that make me who I am today. I don't know if it's normal. I know the kids get tired of hearing about the past and having the different landmarks pointed out. I mostly keep quiet now, but my mind doesn't turn off. I'm reliving the past through my memories.

Six Word Saturday is hosted each week by Cate of Show My Face.

30 days of WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

5 comments:

Ter said...

I am reliving the past through memories this week too. :(

(found you through 6ws)

Pam... said...

Wow. Very insightful thoughts. Have you ever thought how wonderful it is to be able to have memories? Food for thought.

Melissa said...

I do the same thing when I go home. I notice how some things change and others stay the same. I'm always thankful for the things that stay the same...
And thank you for the scripture. It's been a crazy week. And we're looking at 2 more really crazy weeks... and some big decisions.

Karen said...

I did the same thing on my trip east this summer. Being with family who knew me before I was a wife and mom, I found my thoughts were always in the past, reliving so many moments. It was comforting in many ways, but also unsettling in others.

MightyMom said...

tis your time of life.
taking stock of the past while looking forward to the future.

tis the season of fall, reaping the harvests that were sown so long ago, relishing the fallow land that will bring next year's bounty

tis the holiday. remembering the First Thanksgiving, and all those that have past. taking stock of every blessing we've been given...and eagerly anticipating all the blessings yet to come.



is this normal?

ayup.