ORIGINALLY POSTED 7/09/14 by atimetoshare.me

I happen to have a selective memory.  It’s a good defense mechanism allowing me to forget some of the not-so-good times in my life.  The problem with that is some of the tiniest treasures can be packed away with those difficult moments.

My oldest daughter recalled one of those exceptional moments for me a while back.  She’s been blessed with an amazing memory and can recall the tiniest details.  We were talking about a time when things were rather bleak.

My husband was trying to start his own business.  We’d just invested in our first house, had two small children, lots of medical bills and very little income.  He took a second job as a security guard to help with the expenses and often didn’t get home until the children were tucked in their beds.

My daughter talked about how he would come in to kiss them goodnight and tuck a piece of chewing gum under their pillows for them to find in the morning.  Her memory of that was so vivid and either I had completely forgotten it or never even knew about it.

That simple memory turned into a tiny treasure that I will hold dearly in my heart from now on.   It reminded me of the hard times we were going through, but it also brought to mind the love my husband has for our children and how he deeply regretted having to be apart from them in order to provide for them.

Memories are wonderful ways for us to remember the past, but sometimes the bad things shouldn’t be hidden.  We learn from our mistakes. Taking the bad with the good isn’t such a negative idea.  Putting the entire incident together shows us what made the memory so special.

We can try to hide from it; we can cover our hurt by not talking about it or simply forgetting it; we might ease the pain temporarily by doing so – but everything that happens has a purpose – even our memories – good or bad.

Dear, Lord, help me treasure all that is to come during my remaining days, and find joy even in the not-so-happy memories.  Let me know that you are totally involved in my life, no matter what happens.  AMEN!

Life brings tears, smiles and memories.  The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories last forever.   Anonymous