Memory Making

I was thinking...

This week our family will celebrate my mother’s 92nd birthday. She’s quite the lady at such a young age. Most days she receives friends and family with joy and gladness. There are days…and we all have them…when her aging-related limitations are a challenge. She shares those on occasion with my three siblings and me. Our hearts hurt when we see such advancements of age become more disadvantages than advantages for her.

While Mom’s memory of long ago is sharp and mostly on track. Her more immediate moments can become blurry, foggy, and even seemingly forgotten to us. Nonetheless, she is 92, and even I have moments when I enter a room and forget why I am there…how about you?

Bishop Ernest Fitzgerald served our North Georgia Episcopal Area from 1984 until 1992. He and Frances were a blessing to many of us young preachers in those days. He wrote in his book “Keeping Pace – Inspirations in the Air” these words of wisdom: “Not all our memories are blessed, but it is true that our lives center on what gets our attention. People who dwell on the disappointing experiences of life tend to become bitter and cynical. Those who recall the positive and encouraging things remain bright and optimistic. The memory is a window through which life is viewed. The color of that window determines the color of our world.” (P.120)

It is true, we can ‘become better or bitter’ with life. Much of this outcome is dependent upon our ‘memory window’. What we hold on to or what we let go of makes all the difference in what the outcome of our paradigm of life will be. What am I holding on to that is toxic and bitter…what are you holding on to? My…and your future…spirit of life is dependent on our answer to this question.

Isn’t it interesting that we find smack dab in the middle of our ‘Lord’s Prayer’ are the words “forgive us our sins as we forgive the sins of others”. It is that phrase ‘as we forgive’ that bothers me…how about you? What do I need to let go of…what do you need to let go of that would make all the difference in the world in how healthy or unhealthy our lives become?

The Psalmist writes, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”. (103:2, KJV) Even the Psalmist knew that memory can be manipulated. It takes spiritual discipline to move the memory to places of healthy empowerment. “The true art of memory is the art of attention.” (Samuel Johnson) “What we give to our minds will eventually determine what they contain.” (Fitzgerald, P.121)

So, what has our attention these days? What ‘memory making’ are we creating here and now? We are in fact, choosing our course of life in this process of memory building.

Whether we are 92 or 22, our memories direct our paths in so many ways. What will we forget? Probably a lot. What will we remember? Probably a lot as well. But my prayer for you and for me is that we remember the right things and forget the wrong things.

Happy Birthday, Mom. The only love that is greater than God’s love for you is your love for us, and it is your family’s good pleasure to return that love for you. You’re amazing.

Always Thinking…