Remember When

Raise your hands. How many of you, as you gathered with loved ones over Christmas, were part of a conversation that started with the words remember when?

And how many of those remember when conversations were rehashes of stories that had been relived in previous years?

I was wondering why it is that there are certain events we want to continue to revisit.

It finally occurred to me that remember when conversations are like comfort foods.

Remember whens lead us through past times that we know to be safe. There are no surprises in these conversations - no chance of offending anyone, no chance of the conversation straying into uncharted territory.

Remember whens almost always put smiles on everyone's faces. Either because the event being relieved was humorous when it occurred or because it was a serious occasion that can now be looked back on either with fondness or relief.

Just like mashed potatoes and gravy, remember whens leave us satisfied, relaxed, and content.