Saturday, November 22, 2014

Thanksgiving Memories

(originally published in the Daily Press - Religion Section, 11-22-14)

I blew through the kitchen late in the evening preparing all the final food and details; stuffing the turkey, writing out explicit roasting instructions, post-it-notes attached to every covered item in the refrigerator, tearfully giving guidance to my husband and sons just home from college, what tomorrow would bring.

It was going to be a full house in Washington for our Thanksgiving holiday.  They needed to know who was coming, what items guests were contributing, and when they would arrive.  

Several hours earlier the phone rang with grave news that I needed to quickly get to Los Angeles. My mother had slipped into a comma in her advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and was in her final hours.

While most people were sleeping in the wee hours of the morning, my husband drove me through a snowstorm to make the next available flight.  As we made our way through the mountain pass, the falling snow calmed my spirit as it peacefully blanketed the scenic route like a picture from Currier and Ives. 

Two hours later, I somehow made the standby list on a sold out holiday flight. For the first time in my life, I was grateful to be sitting in the last row of an airplane, on the isle, next to the toilet.

My best friend picked me up at the other end and transported me to our family home where dad opened the door, visibly comforted by my presence.  Extended family and siblings who hadn’t been in the same room for years gathered that day.

No turkey, pie or stuffing, as we sat around mom’s bed. The many memories shared sustained us as we waited on Jesus to receive mom home.  

Holidays are not always guaranteed to generate joy in the traditional sense. In fact, at times they may feel lonely or painful. In our case, the next Christmas day my husband’s father passed away. Talk about bittersweet holidays.

What memories have been evoked in your reading through this article? God in his goodness has blessed each of us with the gift of memories.  Philippians 1:3 says, “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Who are you remembering and thanking God for this Thanksgiving week?  It’s healthy to share stories that come to your heart as you remember others from days gone by, even if tears are attached.  Those memories are like a thread that runs through the tapestry of our lives. When we pass them on to others, they stay alive connecting the generations. 

I have a plaque in my office that reads, “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
   
Who is the treasure you are missing this Thanksgiving? Close your eyes and remember the stories; breathe life into them once again by telling someone else.  Then thank God that those memories remain alive in you, and rejoice; because those that are in Christ Jesus will one day be reunited with their loved ones again, for all eternity.  Thanks be to God.     

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.

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