Memories
Well, I’ve been alternately laughing and crying through the day. I need a break so here I am.
We’re fixing to bust a move, literally. Our plan is to relocate to where I came from originally. There I have family, friends, and familiarity. There I’ll have amenities. There is where I’ve always wanted to “end up.” It’s where our burial plot is. But until recently, we’d only spoken in “someday” terms. A few weeks ago, we moved to “now” for a variety of reasons.
And though our home hasn’t yet sold, we want to be ready when it does. So we’ve been packing. Today I’ve been working through several memorabilia boxes. I’ve looked at, read, and discarded or kept hundreds of items, and there are a lot more to go. Every single one of them carries with it a precious memory or I’d not have kept it – I’m talking cards; loose pictures; photograph albums; graduation and wedding announcements; funeral programs; newspaper clippings; invitations to attend anniversary celebrations; ticket stubs to sporting events, concerts, plays, and lectures; church bulletins; small gifts; pieces of my grade school, now gone; a small strip of wood flooring from the central building on my college campus, now replaced by a different, new structure; articles from all kinds of media, etc.
I’d planned to go through all these items . . . someday. And someday, it turns out, is today. It’s been wrenching in many ways, as well as exhilarating at times.
Much of my family is gone. So are many of my friends. Or they are no longer quite themselves – I’m to see one of them this weekend. I’m never sure she’s certain who I am. She’s one year younger than me.
I can no longer pitch, throw, or catch a softball reliably or safely.
I don’t willingly subject myself to big-city traffic anymore – at one time I didn’t so much as blink at the prospect.
So . . . today I am struck anew with the rapidity of time passage. So fast. It’s all gone so fast. And nothing is the same as it was.
That’s something we must all come to grips with. David said about humans, in Psalm 144:4, “For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow” (NLT).
Fortunately, this life is not all there is. No, there’s more and better. Much more. Much better. My friend’s mind will be restored. The dead will live again. I’ll see my mother, my grandparents; my father will be hale and hearty. We won’t forget things. We needn’t fear traffic, or anything else for that matter. We’ll not get sick or die, or even suffer injury. We’ll not be separated, ever. I’ll be able to manage a softball quite handily if I want to.
Won’t that be the day? I know this is so because God promises. Here’s one of my favorite scriptural passages: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’ And the one sitting on the throne said, ‘Look, I am making everything new!’ And then he said to me, ‘Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true’ ” (Revelation 21:1-5. NLT).
I can hardly wait. Collecting memorabilia will not be a “thing,” I don’t think. Or maybe it will. But in any event, we’ll be present to one another, we’ll remember without having to be reminded, our minds will remain sharp and new and clear, all things will be possible.
And then we’ll begin to make new memories.
22 Comments
Nancy Hoppe
You’ve had an interesting day, going down memory lane!
I am so looking forward to that better place, where there will be no more tears or any negative things!
Carolyn Karlstrom
Oh, me too! Thanks so much for your comments!!
Trudie
Boy this is like looking at your life in the past present and future. This life is for a short time, And then we go home on that perfect day the Lord already has for us before we are born. That new heaven and new earth! For an eternity! I can’t even imagine how beautiful the new Jerusalem is! It has to be brilliant , Like Jules reflecting off of each other as a prisms,,,And God will be our light! I know how hard it is living in your home and trying to get rid of some things. The furniture and furnishings are so hard but that other stuff like cards, pictures, memorabilia, the cant depart from those♥️
Carolyn Karlstrom
It’s hard, all right. But, yes – this place is just temporary. Real life in our real home is just around the corner. Thank you for reading and commenting!! ❤️
Carleen Jones
I think those of us your age and older like me can really relate to what you said. Especially going through family members things who have passed and trying to decide what is important. And a little bit I saved I will have to go through again and make decisions. Ugh!
Carolyn Karlstrom
No, it’s not an easy time, that’s for sure. I know you’ve recently had to go thru Larry’s things and I can’t imagine what that must have been like. To go thru my own stuff is hard enough – oh, my! Thx for commenting . . .
Sherri
What a wonderful day of remembering you’ve had! It sounds very familiar because I’ve had to do a little of that “sifting” process myself as I work on the family tree or get ready for birthdays. Fun/not fun! Just think how much more fun you’ll have once you get moved and situated, and can then share these memories with family and friends! Good luck in the coming days as you make even more memories!
Carolyn Karlstrom
Thank you! Yes, it’s a mixed bag, for sure, as regards the emotions. I went thru a bunch more today.
Becky
Went thru much the same when I packed up to move to Tucson. Where are you moving to? My hope would be within a day’s drive from me…? 🙂
ckarlstrom
We’re heading to Walla Walla, where I was born and where Rick and I met in college. My sister is the only close family I have left and we’d like to be closer. We decided there’s no better time than now!! Unfortunately, it’s more than a day’s drive from Tucson. But maybe we’ll get down that way for a visit – we do like AZ. Thanks for your note . . .
Beth
Oh wow! I did not know you and Rick were leaving your retirement home and going back to Walla Walla. Seems it all happens so fast. I can relate to the purging and packing those precious memorable items. The next time we are visiting Chad and family in Walla Walla, we must get together again! Wouldn’t our grandparents and parents love that us cousins have connected and can be physically together?! Prayerful for a smooth move for you and Rick!
Carolyn Karlstrom
Thx so much, Beth, for the prayers and well wishes! Yes, yes, yes – will want to see you when you head to Walla Walla again!
Ginny Allen
I got your my birthday card and have pondered this news from you! This writing makes it fall into place! Your home right now is a little piece of Heaven but the fact is that anyplace with Rick can be a little Heaven til we get to the real Heaven! I am happy for you. I know what it means to live near family and you will enjoy Susie and Bob, etc! Blessings!
Carolyn Karlstrom
Thank you, Ginny, very much! Yes, Susie is the only close family I have left and we want to be nearer to one another. Rick and I have actually always hoped to wind up in WW eventually, and recently decided that there’s no good reason to wait.
Phyllis Chamberlain
We’re looking forward to making more memories with your and Rick when you move back home.
Phyllis Chamberlain
We’re looking forward to making more memories with you and Rick when you move back home.
ckarlstrom
And we’re looking forward to the same! Rick has mentioned at least twice how nice it will be to get “reacquainted” with the two of you. And of course I agree!
Marlys Schraven
Hi Carolyn,
I totally understand your moving “home “. Family is the most important and precious thing on this earth. We stayed in MD because of grandchildren. I never had that same connection with grandparents like you did. And I have loved being involved with our son’s family. Just wish we were closer to Kevin in CA.
We wish you the best. Love to you.
Carolyn Karlstrom
Thank you, Marlys. Yes, College Place/Walla Walla really is “home” for me and that’s where I want to be at the end. So off we go!
Carolyn Karlstrom
And much love to you too!! ❤️
Helen L. Carlton
Wow Carolyn, since I am right now in the middle of a family reunion trip and also going to my 61st high school reunion, I can totally relate to your message. I went through “tons” of memories (papers, pix, etc.) getting ready for this trip. It is especially great that we have so much in our memory boxes!!! Yes, what joy awaits us and we will be communicating with our Heavenly Father in person and secure in HIS loving arms!
ckarlstrom
So enjoyed and appreciated your note, Helen. Yes, what joy awaits! Have a wonderful trip and reunions!!