Memories

Memories . . . Something more valuable to most people than any other resource is our memory. In this case, I’ll say memories, because really, it boils down to having a plurality. As we get older, we put more and more stock into our memory and memories, as we rely on our memory to show us the memories of the things we cherished for so long in our lives. Something most people realize that as much as we value and stress making memories for ourselves, we have to realize that we should also be making memories for our families and close friends, because once we’re gone, that’s all our children will have left of us. Long after we’re gone, our children will be carrying on, and they’ll hopefully be left with the memories of time spent with them. Otherwise, what do they have? Stuff and junk of indiscriminate value. Kodak used to capitalize on their famous “kodak moments,” something people as old as I am would describe as picture perfect moments to put in a scrapbook to save for grandma or grandpa’s deathbed. Now, everyone has a phone and a thousand photo albums on social media where everything is saved. While that’s certainly impressive, those photos in their sheer quantity don’t hold a candle to the photos burned in our heads that so perfectly capture the feeling and power of time spent with someone important to you. Those are what you want to hold on to.

They say that smell is the strongest of the five senses in its ability to conjure more resolute memories. How fascinating that is. Perhaps a waft of apple pie will take you back to dinner with your grandparents. Or a cup of coffee will transport you to a cool morning spent in the kitchen or on the porch with your parents. Regardless, nostalgia is probably the most uniquely human aspect of recollection, something that allows us to travel decades in the closing of our eyes. Start journaling, keeping records of everything that struck you as novel or important. Take every chance to create experiences with your loved ones. Above all, consider how others will remember you after you’re gone and ask yourself is this the legacy I want to leave behind? If not, strive to leave the best memory possible, someone who could be missed.