Where I live

This is something that has been repeatedly coming to me over the last couple of days...remember where I live. Perhaps it is because of something that I have to tell myself when I question it all. When I doubt. When I wonder. When I am hurt. So here is what I came up with...

When you don't see my smile, remember where I live.
When we don't spend time together like we used to, remember where I live.
When you question if it means anything, remember where I live.
When you are hurt because of words said, remember where I live.
When I'm not physically there, remember where I live.
When you want to run, remember where I live.
When you can't say what you need to, remember where I live.
When you forget who you are to me, remember where I live.
When your laugh isn't shared, remember where I live.
When distance keeps us apart, remember where I live.
When the "yesterdays" don't seem to be our "todays", remember where I live.
When you are not sure how to approach the day, remember where I live.
When the good, the bad, and the ugly come to you, remember where I live.
When you have something exciting to share, remember where I live.
When you can't do all that you want to, remember where I live.
When all you have to do is ask, remember where I live.
When something is troubling you, remember where I live.
When I can't take your call, remember where I live.
When you wonder what I am doing today, remember where I live.
When you need me, remember where I live.
When you miss me, remember where I live.

Yes, I want you to remember. I want you to remember so that you never forget it, but not just for you...for me, too. All of the "you's" and "I's" can be switched when we change places. And I tell myself every day that I need to remember where you live.

Take time to remember....

Life happens so fast. I remember one of my sons saying that his present life is like a video or DVD - happening in real time and his past are comprised of snapshots of what his memory affords him. Some things we remember, others we do not because we were too young or because of our advancing age, we are now too old. Ironic, isn't it? One of my ways to preserve those "snapshots" is through scrapbooking. I have not done it in some time as new projects and other priorities have recently taken most of my time. I will get back into it soon as I am several years behind, and get more behind as the minutes and days go by. That, I cannot change or stop. We also like to share stories of when the boys were little that they do not remember and now they have those stories to share with their friends and their kids, too. We also tell them about when we were dating and how we met so they know that story. I think it is important to tell stories of our past. It reminds of where we were. Now, some memories might bring pain and sorrow and it may take you back there, but that is not a bad thing. It happened. You felt. It's over. You are not. Other great things have happened as well. We love those "snapshots." Our yesterdays have been combined to bring us where we are...right now. There are things that I never want to forget and so I try to remember them, even if I think they are dumb and no one understands why. Sometimes, they make me cry and others make me laugh. I often remember where I was when something was decided or done. I have a list of such things, events, and funny sayings and although a certain song inspired it, the list keeps growing. In fact, I hope that I can keep adding to the list for a very long time. That list is my little "scrapbook" of memories and sometimes I need to take time to remember every now and then. Do you take time to remember? Really allow yourself to go back in time and feel that memory? I have found that certain words or a song might trigger a memory and then my emotions come to the surface...I find tears welling up more often than they used to, that's for sure. Your connection to those special pieces will always be with you and your reason for being is forever tied to them. Share your memories with others and your story will be forever be instilled in the people that are closest to you. I once asked someone if she would remember me...I know she will. Today, this posting is about those people, events, and places that are forever a part of you. They are what make you YOU. Remember who you are and the sum of the memories that brought you to today.

Remember who you are

Last week in church, our pastor had mentioned this phrase in his sermon, but used it when his teenage children would leave the house, going out to spend time with friends. These four words really stuck with me last week and then I was reading one of my new books and saw it again. "Remember who you are." Do you know who you are? Do we try to be something we are not, sometimes to please others? I think we all do at some time in our lives. However, the real issue is that if we say, "I don't know who I am", we are not being truthful. We all know who we are. We can identify our likes and dislikes, what brings us joy, what makes us sad. Maybe we are asking the wrong question (Who am I?) and need to be asking something more appropriate, like what do I do with me? What purpose do I need to fullfill? This is how we find our passion and start living our dream. So many times, we get stuck in the rut of living our daily lives that we forget about our future, what changes we can make in this world, and how what we say affects others around us. You have to be willing to ask the questions, even if the answers do not come right away. Keep asking the questions. There are people in over 21 different countries that have at one time read this blog and that humbles me beyond belief. I started this blog a year ago at the urging of some friends to allow them to see what I was writing because they wanted to be a part of it and share my journey with me. Never did I think that people all over the world would find what I write of interest, let alone that they would find this little snipit of my life. Our name identifies who we are on paper and so we can be identified when talking with people, but who we are comes from within. Ask yourself today, "Who am I?" and it will be the easiest test you take because you know the answers. Everyday, as you go about your daily tasks or pursue new adventures to satisfy a longing in your heart, remember who you are. If you forget, we will remind you. Have a wonderful weekend!