It has been a great challenge for me learning to live in the present. I’ve learned (slowly!) the value of savoring an experience, not getting in my own way, and making the most of each fleeting moment. It has helped me both in my personal and professional life. So I agree – living in the present is vital. But the present isn’t an island. It’s constantly shaped by the tides of our memories.
The mystery of memory is indeed a captivating one. It’s this incredible, often faulty, faculty that allows us to transcend the present, to revisit moments both joyous and ordinary, even if it sometimes feels like a foggy reflection.
But here’s the beauty in my view: our imperfect memories hold immense power. When we share memories verbally, it comes with emotional vividness. We don’t just relive them ourselves, we invite others to step into those moments with us.
Our bodies are memory keepers, often in ways we don’t fully understand. As a storyteller, I hold these two words close to me always: Pay.Attention. A spark in the eye, a subtle smile, a pause while looking up – these are echoes of the stories we hold within us.
My experience interviewing those with cognitive decline has unveiled a powerful truth about those echoes: memories exist not just in the mind, but in the very fabric of our being. Our memory may be fallible, but the essence of an experience, the emotional core, lingers long after details fade.
A customized visual memoir with Sincerely Yours gives your loved one the gift of space, time, and attention as well as the opportunity to savor forever the life stories of those we love. I embrace the phrase ‘it’s never too late’ but our shared humanity tells us that one day it may be.
Next time you find yourself reminiscing, listening to a song or following a recipe in your mom’s handwriting, take a moment to appreciate the wonder of memory and the pricelessness of sharing it. It’s not just a foggy reflection; it’s the very essence of who we are and the stories we carry within us.
