Catherine was a little girl of five when her mother died.  She was one of eight children ranging in age from 4 months to 12 years.  After her mother’s death, each child was taken in by a different relative, the youngest two boys placed in a Catholic orphanage.   The family grew apart, not even a photograph remained of their dear mother.  Catherine spent her lifetime wishing she could picture her mother’s face; she could not.  Her  one and only  memory of her mother was kneeling beside mother’s wheelchair each night to say her bedtime prayers. That one precious memory would stay with her for a lifetime.

Since you are reading this blog (and I am writing it) we are both still very much alive.  But, the day will come when each of us will be just a memory.  It makes me wonder – what will that memory be?   The words of Dr. Seuss ring true here, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” (Theodore Seuss Geisel)

We have these precious moments today, time to make memories for those we love, memories that will linger, inspire or guide them in years to come.  We’ll never know which times spent together will linger with them.   Likewise, I’m sure my parents and grandparents would be surprised to learn of the words or moments that have become so important to me.

Perhaps you’re familiar with a gospel hymn frequent heard on Gaither Gospel programs, “Precious Memories.”  The chorus lyrics follow:

“Precious memories, how they linger,
How they ever flood my soul:
In the stillness of the midnight,
Precious sacred scenes unfold.” *

Judy

“The memory of the righteous is a blessing.”  Proverbs 10:7

*Precious Memories, Music and lyrics by J.B.F. Wright, 1996 Stamps-Baxter Music & Printing Co.