What is it about these days of summer that often take us backward in time? I can hear a song and it will take me back to the beach as a teenager, my summer away at a girls camp in the Adirondacks, and hours spent with friends. During those endless summer days we soaked in the freedom that we all felt. Ironically, by August we were counting the days when school would once again begin because we missed that important part of our lives.
I am sure that I am not the only one who embraced those days then, but who would not go back for a do over now. For most of us, when we have moved on we are ready for the next leg of this journey called life. But, I know that how my days have been marked throughout the years does play a significant part in how I live my life today. Basically, the choices we make today are impacting days yet to come.
Many of us spent time with family over this past holiday, and our family was no exception. Our 4th of July celebration was delayed as we were traveling, but we did have time together over the weekend. We were surrounded by grandchildren, grown children and their husbands, and extended family. It was a noisy, joyful time. It was marked by laughter, food, games, and also by shared conversation of a man who had recently passed away. A man connected to the family through marriage, and someone we cared about.
I am so aware of the importance that we all play in the lives of the people who we spend our life with. These are the ones who we are deeply connected to, and who make the biggest impression on us. These loved ones become markers for us, and as we look back in time we will see them.
Just as these people will mark your memories, you will mark theirs. They will recall that you were not only a part of their life, but they will see the part you played in the bigger picture. It actually changes things when you know that you too are being documented in their memory bank, doesn’t it? Makes us want to walk in love, in understanding, in compassion, and in clarity. These days will be remembered!
Part of our weekend celebration was celebrating our oldest granddaughter as her birthday was while we were away. Of course, we did mark the occasion before we traveled, but somehow it just felt right to do it again. She was thrilled to have her family, cousins, and grandparents join in the birthday chorus.
I have said that these days will be remembered, and actually not only be remembered, but photographed. When we were singing to our beautiful 9 year old I asked this question, “Is there any among us who does not have a phone?” Laughter broke out because we all know that these days are the days of documentation!
Proverbs 10:7-17 CSB The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed. The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. A sly wink of the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will be destroyed. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up conflicts, but loves covers all offenses. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense. The wise store up knowledge but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction. The wealth of the rich is his fortified city, the poverty of the poor is their destruction. The reward of the righteous is life, the wages of the wicked is punishment. The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.