Last week I looked through one of my memory boxes. Maybe I did it because we lost our Jo last week, and I just needed to remember some good things that happened through my years. I don't know. But I do know, reminding yourself of good memories can cheer you and help you continue on through life, no matter what you're going through.
I’ve been
putting items in my memory boxes for 40 years. Things I want to remember, good
things, accomplished things, grateful things, that I have done through my life.
My memory boxes help to encourage me, inspire me and to be thankful for all God has done for me. There will come a time when my memory will fade. The items I have saved will help me remember what I went through and what I did. In some ways it’s like a journal where you record the happenings in your life.
My memory boxes help me to see how I've grown and how events in my life have affected my future work. Perhaps it seems a
little egotistical, but I believe we need to be reminded of what we’ve done,
reminders of the good things that have shaped us and melded us into the person
we are. When I saw the above graphic, I liked it!
I don’t know about you, but I seem to recall mostly negative
things from my life, and I try to get rid of them as soon as I realize it!
I’m thankful I have something I can go to that is filled with positive things
for me to reflect on.
My sister crocheted me a brown blanket for my queen size
bed in my late twenties. My favorite color is brown. I loved that blanket. The picture I found in
the memory box showed I had that brown blanket when we moved to PA. It was on a
chair we purchased after we moved here. I hadn’t seen that blanket in a while,
so I went searching for it, pulled it out, and it’s now folded on a bed in the
small bedroom.
I found two poems I wrote when I was 28, the first year I was saved. Writing poems were my first attempts at writing. I have an envelope filled with most of those poems. I was in my twenties when I started writing poems.
I found cards and notes that were sent to me during my
cancer treatments in 2015. Seeing the notes, I immediately touched
base with a friend that had encouraged me during that time.
A copy of the copywrite for the book I wrote is in there and
a post card of the front of my book. My life dream was to have an article published
and write a book. My first published article was about Jerry’s truck, and I was
paid $100. My self-published book, where I learned all you go through to publish a
book, was a dream come true. Guideposts created a Unit called Inspiring
Voices. They helped me publish the book. A CD of the class I gave on note
writing to encourage is in there.
Things friends had done for me through the years that
touched my heart are in the box. They showed me what friends do for each
other, like the poem my friend, Diana, wrote about me.
Wedding and anniversary pictures of Jerry and me through the
years. A copy of the certificate that Jerry gave me on our first anniversary
when he had a star named after me. Somewhere out there in space, there is Carol
Ann Mc Giffin shining bright!
A copy of a staff recognition in the church newsletter when
I worked in a church office. It is especially meaningful because I never
thought I could work in a church office because I was divorced.
A diploma for the course I took with Writer’s
Digest on “Writing to Sell Non-Fiction.” I had an article published
while I was taking the course. I was so proud to tell my instructor about it!
The invitation I sent to my friends for my “Celebration
of Friends” party for my 55th birthday. That brought back wonderful
memories.
My favorite envelope! “Make a mailbox happy, send a
card!” My first writing room where I started writing notes to encourage.
Seeing all these things gave me multiple reasons to thank
God for what He has done in my life. I truly don’t think I would have achieved
most of the things I’m thankful for if I hadn’t found Jesus and became a child
of God.
So, I thank Him greatly for working in my life and giving me
reasons to be happy and productive for Him.
Those are just a few of the things I was reminded of when I looked through my memory box. If you’ve never started keeping items that mean a lot to you, or writing in a journal, I highly recommend it. There is enough in life to keep us down, and we’ve all experienced those sad and heart-breaking times. Instead, fill your heart with pleasant memories and thank God for giving you something to do. I sure do!
Since Jesus Came Into My Heart
By His Grace . . .
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