Memory Lesson

The cardinal had fluttered to a landing on the hood of my parked car. From the opposite side of the windshield the bird pecked inquisitively at something beneath the cowling that sheltered the windshield wipers when they were off. The toughness of the cardinal's beak was evident in the rapping whenever the glass itself was struck.

Moving slowly, I sought a better vantage point that I might see what the cardinal was after. I was not the only curious one. A second cardinal came in for a landing.  The photo op was too good to pass up. Raising my cell phone, trying for the best shot, I leaned an inch too far forward. Both birds took to flight.

I took the message to heart. Sometimes the best memories are those that live.... only in your memory.

Ornamental Memories

Our Christmas tree might be just as aptly called a memory tree.

Every year, as I hang ornaments, I am reminded of years past. There's the first ornament Motivated Mom and I bought together - the year we were married standing in our living room on Christmas. The ornament that says baby's first Christmas was hung on the tree while College Dude sat strapped into a child seat on the floor - wearing a one piece Santa outfit. The other baby's first Christmas ornament was hung just about the same time Media Girl was taking her first steps.

There are a group of ornaments inscribed with the names of all the different pets that have shared our house over the years and collections inspired by different phases of our lives. Ornaments that followed us home from Disney World, Williamsburg, Aruba, and more.

Each ornament brings a period of the past back to life as through I were looking at the event through a portal in time. Each ornament reminds me of how fortunate our family has been.