I've been taking writing workshops at work. One of the topics we were given to write about in a session was our most cherished memory. As I started writing, I realized I couldn't pin it down to just one. Instead, I ended up with a collection of cherished memories that centered around one theme. I've shared the memories that stood out first below.
Growing up we drove to Southern Alberta several times a year to visit my mom's parents. These car rides were tedious because we were stuck in a car for 12 hours. However, they also left priceless time for making memories and bonding.
Shortly after CDs came out, my brother bought a transmitter that would connect to the car radio. We were listening to a CD and a song came on that my mom was not particularly a fan of. The chorus of the song, Return to Innocence, drove her crazy. Being the kids we were, we found it hilarious and made it a tradition to play the song during every road trip to Canada. The best part was my dad joined in. Instead of turning the radio off, he would turn the volume up. My mother never knew when the song would come, but when it did it was loud and we all sang along just to annoy her and entertain ourselves at the same time. This is one of those continuing experiences that we still laugh about as a family.
Every trip to Canada also involved staying with my grandparents. Their basement created a great area for kids to play games. One summer, we played roller blade hockey with ping pong balls and paddles in their basement, using old chairs as the goals. It's amazing we didn't break anything, including bones. My grandparents never got mad at us for the noise or the mess we made. I think they liked hearing the laughter and shouts coming up the stairs.
The last memory that stood out was a fall trip to Canada. My grandparents lived in an old neighborhood with big trees, so there were lots of leaves to rake. We spent hours raking the leaves into a large pile and then took turns jumping into them. I still remember my grandpa sitting on the porch laughing at the simplicity of our game and the joy it brought.
What do all these memories mean? It means time spent with my family produces my most cherished memories. There is more than one memory I can list, but at the root of each memory is my family. There's not much you can take with you when you leave this mortal existence. Family and your relationships with others is something you can take. The time I've spent with my family is my most cherished memory because it's continuous and never ends.
My family is part of what defines who I am. What helps define you? If you don't have an answer, take a few minutes and figure out what your most cherished memories are. Whatever is at the root, is most likely the thing that has impacted you the most for the better.
Growing up we drove to Southern Alberta several times a year to visit my mom's parents. These car rides were tedious because we were stuck in a car for 12 hours. However, they also left priceless time for making memories and bonding.
Shortly after CDs came out, my brother bought a transmitter that would connect to the car radio. We were listening to a CD and a song came on that my mom was not particularly a fan of. The chorus of the song, Return to Innocence, drove her crazy. Being the kids we were, we found it hilarious and made it a tradition to play the song during every road trip to Canada. The best part was my dad joined in. Instead of turning the radio off, he would turn the volume up. My mother never knew when the song would come, but when it did it was loud and we all sang along just to annoy her and entertain ourselves at the same time. This is one of those continuing experiences that we still laugh about as a family.
Every trip to Canada also involved staying with my grandparents. Their basement created a great area for kids to play games. One summer, we played roller blade hockey with ping pong balls and paddles in their basement, using old chairs as the goals. It's amazing we didn't break anything, including bones. My grandparents never got mad at us for the noise or the mess we made. I think they liked hearing the laughter and shouts coming up the stairs.
The last memory that stood out was a fall trip to Canada. My grandparents lived in an old neighborhood with big trees, so there were lots of leaves to rake. We spent hours raking the leaves into a large pile and then took turns jumping into them. I still remember my grandpa sitting on the porch laughing at the simplicity of our game and the joy it brought.
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| My family as of April 2013. |
My family is part of what defines who I am. What helps define you? If you don't have an answer, take a few minutes and figure out what your most cherished memories are. Whatever is at the root, is most likely the thing that has impacted you the most for the better.
