I have so many precious memories from my childhood that will stay with me forever.
Some of my most-treasured memories are actually from quite ordinary day-to-day experiences.
I can remember reading story after story snuggled up next to my mom and being so excited to see my dad when he got home from work.
I can remember playing board games with my parents and siblings late into the night when we were on breaks from school. We’d usually end up laughing so hard that we would cry.
I can remember pretending to escape from a lion with my siblings while we had “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” playing on a CD player in the background.
Now, as an adult myself, I still love spending time with my parents and siblings and love watching them read to and play with my sons.
I can remember baking (and eating) desserts, crocheting and embroidering, and watching game shows with my paternal grandmother.
After I got a bit older, we shared our time together talking over hot cappuccinos. My grandma was always happy to listen as I practiced playing the piano at her house, as well.
I can remember playing with Playdoh and board games, watching movies, and going on rock walks with my maternal grandmother.
Now that I am married and have kiddos of my own, we share our time talking while playing with my boys. My grandma is always ready to drive on over to my house to help out with the boys.
What I have written about above doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of my special memories from my childhood (and now early adulthood).
I truly believe that some of the most ordinary-seeming events in our lives end up being our most-treasured memories as we continue to age.
I think when we become adults, we easily forget how the small, “ordinary” moments of each day can and do impact a child’s life.
I thank God every day for the wonderful childhood He blessed me with, and I pray that my own children will find joy in the small, “ordinary” moments of their childhoods, as well.
Just a few days ago, I was talking to my maternal grandmother, and we were reminiscing about the “rock walks” we went on when I stayed at her house.
That conversation is actually what prompted me to write this post.
“I should have bought some pretty-colored rocks and put them all over the driveway for you kids to find”, my grandma told me.
“No! I’m glad you didn’t, Grandma”, I told her.
I can still remember exactly what some of the “ordinary” rocks that I hunted for looked like.
While I am sure I would have also loved to find pretty-colored rocks on the driveway, I am thankful that I was able have the chance to pick out rocks that I thought were extraordinary out of the plain ol’ gravel.
Thinking of these memories warms my heart, and it also reminds me that not every moment has to be planned out or prepared.
We can make special memories with our children (or grandchildren) just by being present with them.
We don’t have to buy pretty-colored rocks and place them out perfectly for our kids to find them.
We just need to go on the walk with them and let them find the extraordinary out of the ordinary.
What is a special memory from your childhood that may seem “ordinary” to others? Let me know in the comments!
With love,
Julie