Musing over this morning’s coffee, it occurred to me to write something today on what is jokingly referred to by the “younger set” as “living in the past”.  They chuckle over the stereotype of older folks living in their memories of much more youthful days!

Well I’m here to say that’s not all together true!  Oh it may be that folks who are much more ‘chrono-mature’ than we, do indeed review, reminisce & muse over events of their younger days.

But not for us who know that with ‘chrono-maturity’ comes the ripening of wisdom!

Perhaps it’s the warm summer days that brings it out.  Then again, it may be important dates connected with folks who have been very important in our lives.  Folks who are no longer with us “in the flesh”.  But whatever it is, one thing is true as we move along the ‘chrono-scale’.

“Enter nostalgia!”  And it’s not a bad thing at all.  In fact, it’s a very good thing to recall & review folks & events from days when life seemed (trust me, it only seemed) simpler.

Here’s an example of what I mean by “enter nostalgia”.  My friend Harold and I were driving somewhere & he began to share a story from his childhood that related to where we were (I might add, a story I’ve heard eons of times).  His nostalgia led to my own!  So I began to share something from my days that related to a similar event to the one he had been sharing. . . . on & on we went!

Upon our return, he reminded me of an upcoming event we are both to attend.  I noted the date & replied with the following: “that’s the date of my parents wedding anniversary!” 

My parents have been romping around the heavenlies for some years now & probably don’t give a rat’s behind that August 3rd is cause for anniversary celebration!  However, I did a quick mental calculation and responded thusly.  “My parents would be married 73 years on August 3.”

Dear friends, what does that piece of information have to do with the challenges we work through on a daily basis at this point in our lives?  Nothing - Nada!

But just rolling it over in my head, smiling at the thought that my wonderful Mom & Dad may be holding spiritual hands in high & lofty places celebrating 73 years of wedded love brought a chuckle to an otherwise mundane day.  And a sense of ‘fun’ that “nostalgia” can bring to life!

Writing this, I have to wonder if that’s why it’s a trademark of ‘chronologically maturing’ seasons & the 2nd half of any journey?  After all, the longer we tred the path, the more we have to stuff in our memory bag. 

More folks come across our path to lighten the load.  Children & g’children come upon the scene.  G’parents, parents & dear friends leave us - and life moves on!

And we adjust!  We make accommodation for the changes that occur.  However, as Ron says, “relationships never end - they simply change!” 

The pleasant (or not so pleasant at times) memories truly never end.  They continue to pile up & overflow the memory vault.  Thus it’s perfectly understandable that as we continue the path called “2nd half”, folks & events are bound to “pop out” once in a while, so thus. . . . enters nostalgia!

A piece of “wednesday wisdom” for us.  If a younger person rolls her eyes when we grab something from the ‘memory vault’ & lay it out for all to see & hear - respond in the following manner:

“Oh, sweetheart - your time is coming!” 

Because trust me - it will.

Have an awesome day with pleasant reminders from you own memory vault that will lighten the day’s challenges & bring a smile to your face!

Linda, a fellow journeyer