Today was another day of deer watching. Ashley and I ate breakfast watching a small heard of seven deer leisurely walking down a path through the woods behind their house. Their dog Magnolia just sat on the top step of their back porch and watched the parade with us. The sky is gray and cloudy. Not doing much birding here but the deer are beautiful and so peaceful. One of the bigger ones stood up and yanked some leaves off a tree.

The song birds are singing. I hear their songs, I just haven’t seen them. Saw four robins and one crow on the way to pick up the boys from school. Gonna record them in my bird watching journal.

The boys were inducted into the National Beta Club at a ceremony at their school tonight. One hundred and eighty eight boys and girls were inducted. I was so happy to be able to attend the ceremonies. They boys dressed up and looked so handsome. I had worried the last few days about taking Handley to her soccer practice that conflicted with the time of the ceremony. Handley and I were going to be late for the ceremony. But God smiled on us and the soccer practice was called off and we were all able to go together.

I was talking to Emerson tonight and he said, “How can you remember being in the fifth grade, Patty? Wasn’t that fifty years ago?” I laughed and told him it was more than fifty years! I don’t know how our mind chooses and picks our memories. I can remember the fifth grade but not yesterday!

I’ve made some beautiful memories the last two days with the grandchildren. We’ve played games and played badminton in the backyard. We’ve laughed and eaten ice cream. Handley and I sat in the floor and played with her doll house. Honestly, I thought we needed to get a fork lift to get me up off the floor! Getting old ain’t no picnic!

Memories mean so much to me. Since I’ve been pondering on things I’ve realized memories help us keep our loved ones close and offer us comfort. Looking back at photos of loved ones helps us remember the laughter and stories we shared. Sharing moments with your children and grandchildren help create a personal bond with family members. Memories matter and remind us we are all connected.

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, and the things you never want to lose.”—Kevin Arnold