Forgotten Memories

By Jim Koury
© 2015 Jim Koury.  All Rights Reserved.

As I sit and reflect upon today – Thanksgiving Day – I anxiously await the feast that is only a few short hours away now as well as the time to be spent with my family.  New memories will be created this day that will last the rest of my life.

I also reflect upon those forgotten memories of Thanksgivings gone by.  However, they never really are truly forgotten. They just get buried within ourselves to be unearthed when we just want to be comforted emotionally when faced with current life’s challenges, or simply to ponder how life was and how grateful we were for those times that are now just shadows residing in our inner consciousness.

I also reflect upon the people that have passed before me through the years.  There are three kinds of people -- those that pass through and no longer are seen or heard from again, those that pass through but are in the shadows to re-emerge once again at some future point, and those that remain steadfastly part of our lives.  I believe there is a lesson to be learned from everyone we meet, but I especially cherish those people that come back into my consciousness and those who never left, as they are the people that really matter the most and the ones I have learned much from.

It is this reflection upon people that have passed before me that cause me today to fondly look back upon family gatherings from the shadows of the past and those family members who are no longer with us. Despite their human failings, as we all have, they enriched my life in their own unique way and I carry forward to this day their loving and nurturing attributes and the memories of their embraces and words of encouragement. 

I am also very grateful for those that are still with us and are partaking in the creation of new memories to be carried forward into the future after they are gone.  Many times we get wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of our lives and focus on one’s shortcomings so much that we tend to forget the beneficial impact these people have etched into our consciousness.

While gathered with your families today take a moment to reflect upon the day and what it truly means to you  Ask yourself if the grudges you hold and the bad memories you retain within are worth the cost of not enjoying the camaraderie of those sitting with you today, as they will be gone one day.

Do you wish to remember them in the light of the ill will of your grudges and regrets or do you want to remember them for who they are and what they truly mean to you?  Create memories that will comfort you and bring a smile to your face and disregard those that you harbor within the evil of your ego.

Life is short.  We all have shortcomings.  Do not let the inconsequential things in life and the human failings we all have to take pre-eminence in your consciousness.  One day those inconsequential things that caused you to overlook what truly was important shall create regrets and cause never ending internal torment.  You have the power NOW to prevent that from happening.

Alas, the words in this post do not fully apply to all. To those who cannot find solace in what is written here, I am hopeful that someday you can find something of mutual concurrence that will help to bridge the chasm between you and whomever is at a distance from you.