Remember the Moments

I’m a keeper of things, a documenter of moments. I take pictures of plates of food and cups of coffee. I have a difficult time parting with birthday cards and notes that people leave on my desk or the bathroom mirror. Sentimentality is one way I’m like my grandmother… and my dad… and my brother. I’m not mad about it! So last year, when I noticed that our daughter, Elizabeth, was saving meaningful slips of paper in a jar, I was all-in.

In January, I put an empty jar on the kitchen counter and jotted notes and stashed small mementos all year long. As the collection was growing, my anticipation of the remembering also grew. It took a good amount of restraint not to look through it between then and now, but what fun I had going through the jar tonight – reliving highlights, chuckling at funny experiences I’d forgotten. Some of the notes represented things we had planned and chosen, like vacations, trips, and theater tickets. Others experiences were surprises (hospital visits, important conversations, meals around the table with family and friends, unexpected blessings).

Remembering where we’ve been in the last year has got me imagining where we’ll be and what we’ll do in the next. I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and His promises. This is a good spot to be in.

I’m starting 2018 with an empty jar and an expectant heart – and thanking God in advance!