I’ve spent many hours over the last several weeks, digging through closets, tearing up storage spaces looking for something important. Not long ago, in a conversation with my mom I realized I didn’t know where it was and panicked. It’s the childhood photo album my mom put together for me. There are 1000 memories in there, and I couldn’t afford to lose them.
Tonight I found it. In my children’s bedroom closet. What a relief. As soon as my kiddos were in bed, I took a long, slow walk down memory lane. It seems the photos transport me in time and I’m there once again. Of course, some are more significant than others…
There’s my fifth birthday party, complete with my little best friend, a new Powder Puff, pink Big wheel and a cherry chip cake, my favorite. I can taste that cake. right now. The cake was special; there were coins wrapped in foil, hidden and baked inside, like a treasure hunt! What a wonderful place that five year old birthday is…
Another photo catches my eye. Its my first voyage on the Maid of the Mist. The Maid of the Mist is the name of the boat ride at Niagara Falls that takes you right up close to the bottom of the Falls. The rain coats wreaked. I can’t tell you what they smelled like, but I remember the odor well. At any rate, the boat gets so close to the falling water that the roar of the water landing in that great basin is deafening. I might be eight in the picture, standing there with my family, like a little drowned rat, at the end of the ride. Its something I will never forget.
But, there is a piece of paper in the album that holds a significant place in my heart. Its a letter hand written from my great grandma, “GG.” The body of the letter is written in rhyming couplet form, written in August 1984. My favorite portion of the letter are these four lines:
I hope you have time to write to me,
I wish you were here like you used to be.
I love you a bushel and a peck,
Fifty kisses and a hug around the neck.
This was her way of expressing that she missed me. That she loved me. As I read it tonight, I shed a few tears. The memories are so poignant that I can hear her laughter. I can remember the last time we spoke over the phone on my birthday just before she passed. I can feel that hug around the neck she’s promising. She left this earth for heaven quite a few years ago, but I still miss her so much. Its a pain in my heart that I don’t think will ever go away until I see her in Heaven someday.
Her expression of love in this special letter, reminds me of another love letter. Memories from my recent spiritual history, of my Savior’s love for me, come rushing in…
This is from a time when I felt like I was being eaten alive by the events of the day, but He said this to me:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.(Lamentations 3:22-23)
And this one from a morning when I needed emergency back up to make it through the day:
The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days. “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:25-27)
But there is one that fills me and warms my heart, radiating all through my being. When I need it, it reminds me to think on His love for me:
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)
All of these favorite Scriptures – all of this spiritual memorabilia is tangible evidence of His love for me and how good He has been to me. His letters, that have so much meaning for me, are His way of loving me, for now. More than ever I look forward to seeing my Savior’s face someday.
I had no idea just how wonderful finding that old photo album would be, its earthly memories, with heavenly prospects strengthen, revive and heal my heart and soul. Thank you Heavenly Father for this precious, beautiful gift.
daily portion 