Celebrating Memories

Okay, everyone, as much as you wish to remain in denial, the facts are clear. Summer is over and we are moving well into the fall season. Nothing wrong with that! Fall is a beautiful time of year. The air is a little crisp, leaves are turning colors and there are even a few special holidays ahead. Halloween is great fun for old and young alike. That’s followed by Thanksgiving – my personal favorite holiday of the entire year. But we all know that as we move into December, anything can happen. The weather can make dramatic changes and we may find ourselves indoors more than we’d like to be. Even those pampered souls in sunny southern California may experience several days of rain (please, let it rain!) What to do with all that indoor time? You know you always promise yourself to clean out the closets, basement, drawers and cupboards. Maybe you’ll even do a bit of that this year, but you should have one or two fun projects lined up for the encroaching hibernation season. And if you need supplies for those projects, the day of the first blizzard is not the best time to go out shopping.

Promise yourself that in the next two weeks, you will choose a project you’d enjoy working on and do a little research to determine what you will need to begin and complete that project. Make a list and go out and purchase those supplies now. Then you’ll be ready. I’ve already determined what my project will be. I want to arrange my photographs. While going through boxes to estimate just what I’m going to need in the way of photo albums I began thumbing through old photos. Nothing can eat into a day like going through old photos. But what a terrific way to spend one’s time.

Early in 2008 our family lost a very special member. My husband’s great-aunt passed away at the age of 102. I miss her every day. Peggy Berlin, more than anyone I know, always had a way of making me feel not only special, but worthy. A hug from Peggy was a loving gift. She also told the best stories. Please humor me for a moment while I share one of her stories with you.

Peggy and her husband, Harry Berlin, owned an ice cream store on B Street in downtown San Diego in the 1920’s and 30’s called Berlin’s Chocolate Shop. A frequent customer to the shop was a gentleman who worked for Ryan Aeronautics Company. One day this man came into the shop and introduced to Harry and Peggy the shy, young man with him and said, “You’ve never heard of this man before, but I guarantee you that after next week the whole world will know his name.” That shy, young man was Charles Lindbergh. Peggy told me when she asked for his order (he ordered a lemonade) he blushed.

Well, I’ve gotten a little sidetracked here, but the message I want to leave you with is this: Go through those old photos and memorabilia. Look at them closely. Remember the people from your past. Maybe even shed a tear or two. But appreciate having had those certain people in your life and celebrate that bond.

Be sure to come back next week for some terrific ideas to save, enhance and treasure memories.