How to create lifelong memories

Pictures stir up memories

I still remember being a kid (yes, that is me in the picture) and my mom telling me to smile for pictures. I had about a 5 year period where I hated to have my picture taken. Like a good mom, she made me smile and tried to convince me that they would mean something to me someday.

I don’t know if it is because I am older, but I am starting to realize the value of making memories.

Obviously pictures are not the only way to do this, but they do have some sort of magical way of taking you back to the time contained in them. Not even being that emotional of a person myself, I know that spending some time with old pictures can really stir up some strong emotions. For me it is typically either “that was a fun time,” or “thank God that season is over!” Regardless, never again will I refuse to smile for a picture.

There is no limit to the memories you create

The most amazing thing is that our minds don’t have a limit on the number of memories they contain. It is only based on our ability to give them something worth remembering!

I have noticed some patterns in my own memories. Most of my memories are made up of major events, challenges, breakthroughs, and vacations. WIthin them are sprinkled a few random events and some traditions that stick out as well.

I can still remember the feeling I got during Christmas season in my parents old house. It was small and cozy with a wood-burning fireplace. Every December my mom would spend Sundays baking cookies and making chili. Just thinking back to that time makes me feel good.

Memories are more valuable than money

My parents had some challenging times financially when I was younger, but they never let the limited amount of cash stop them from creating lifelong memories for us. I appreciate that they were just as interested in creating memories for us as they were filling the bank accounts. Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that good memories can be bought, but I am glad that they were willing to invest into that for their kids.

I assume that after I am dead and gone, my kids will value the memories they had with me more than what I left them in the will. If that is the case, it seems to that spending some time, energy, and money (if needed) creating memories that you can hang onto for the rest of your life would be a good idea.

I really believe that you can take any event (even mundane ones) and make it something special. So, let’s take the mundane things and do them differently. Let’s not be afraid to spend money to do something fun. Let’s take the long way home.