The sky is cornflower blue not a cloud anywhere I can see. I hear the voices of my ancestors this morning on the porch through the tintinnabulations of the wind chimes and the whispers of the cool breezes. I hear my grandmother coming happily home from her honeymoon to the beautiful home her father built for her and her husband, Paul, across the street from the home she grew up in. I listen for my mama and daddy, following their honeymoon in New Orleans, walking up the same steps to this home, given to them as a wedding present from my grandmother. Chief and I were married here in front of the fireplace and left for our honeymoon from this front porch of the home that is mine now.

Generations of children have been rocked to sleep in the porch swings, some of us got our first goodnight kisses here. My mother was born here and drew her last breath here in her reading chair, my daddy’s last breath was here in the kitchen on a Sunday night at the family dinner table. The house is 125 years old now, still strong, though showing her age, and proudly gathering memories from another generation.

Memories are so important to me. My memories of my daughter and my beloved husband hold me tight when my days are dark. Happy memories help us cope when times are difficult. When we share our memories we strengthen the bonds we have with loved ones and create a sense of belonging. I think memories are gifts from God’s grace, a comfort and a promise of a glorious reunion in heaven. Our memories sustain us and warm our hearts.  

God also sustains us through his love and his faithfulness. Psalm 55:22 states, “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” If we put our trust in God, he takes our burdens and anxieties from our shoulders and supports us as we journey through life. We can stand tall with God’s strength, weathering the storms and obstacles thrust on our path. We can walk with confidence knowing God will catch us if we stumble or fall.

God wants us to remember his words, too. John 14:26 says, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Deuteronomy 32:7 reads, “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.” God wants us to remember so we can teach lessons to our children by recalling our own mistakes or the mistakes of others.

We need to be conscious of making memories with our families, gathering together for comfort in time of sadness and celebrating together in times of joy. We don’t truly appreciate an everyday experience until it becomes a memory. I want my brothers’ children and mine, and our grandchildren, to remember the joys and sadness we’ve experienced in our family home. I want them to feel a sense of connection to a special family’s love. Five generations of memories are stored in the bricks of this house. As I ponder in the swing this afternoon, I’m so thankful for my heritage. I love this front porch!

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.” — Dr. Seuss