Monday Memories

June . . .  a month of celebrations, from school graduations, weddings, and the first day of summer, this month as much to offer and reason to save the moments.

Starting with graduations, these events are rites of passage; ceremonial, traditional, formal, or unconventional, this custom is practiced world-wide and commemorate achievements the graduates worked hard to accomplish. So why is it that later in years, after the photos have been placed in albums are long neglected, caps & gowns given away, maybe a tassel or two kept but languishing in a box, not to mention all those yearbooks with cherished but forgotten salutations, funny poems, signed photographs, and teacher’s encouraging words. Why are all these things no longer important? Because you don’t see them! Out-of-sight, out-of-mind.  Sad indeed! Instead of recapitulating this subject matter, please read the blogs I posted in June 2014. And I hope these writings have and will continue to encourage everyone, especially young people today, to take care of the things that at one time gave you much pleasure and that by preserving them, you will be able to relieve those moments again.

Weddings. Wonderful weddings. There is a plethora of advice on everything: when, where, how, what’s in-what’s out, even something called eco-bliss, a.k.a., ways to go green. Our local paper created a 46-page Bridal Guide that left nothing out and is by far one of the most informative and helpful bridal guide I have ever seen. Of course it concentrates on local venues, but it also included a wedding checklist, a budget page, a groom’s guide, and even ideas for remarrying, all so you and your mate can have “your day . . . your way.” Gosh, I wish I had something like this when I planned my wedding 45 years ago. So once again, not to recapitulate this topic, please read the blogs I also posted in June 2014.      

Sunshine, beaches, picnics, backyard fun & frolic, tis that time of year when school books are closed, uniforms and backpacks replaced by swimsuits and flip-flops. Vacations taken along with hundreds of photographs. And after it is all said and done, where do those memories go? Hopefully in your family museum. Be it a seashell, swim trophy, or souvenirs, save them. Make a shadow box with a postcard and souvenir you bought on your trip, same with that beautiful seashell with a picture of the person who found it, and don’t put that hard-earned trophy in a box. Display it proudly, on a bookshelf or where ever there is space so the winner can look at it and talk about their achievement. For these are the things memories are made of and like any good recipe, it’s the ingredients that make life enjoyable.

"You live as long as you are remembered." Russian proverb