My last several postings have been chapters from my book, "A Promise Kept", telling the story of my experiences with brain cancer. Previous to those chapters, my postings were written mostly in the third person (to give a unique approach). This posting is in the first person and others to follow will likely be the same.
How fortunate I am that the brain cancer did not negatively effect my memory! I am thrilled that I can remember so many details of my life...a life filled with exhilarating experiences, profound discoveries, amazing historical happenings and a thrilling spiritual journey with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit! As I look back over 78 years I realize how fast time goes by.
Memories of my role as a flower girl in my Aunt Muriel's wedding when I was five years old are as real as if they happened yesterday! I still remember the scene in the bridal shop. The proprietor made a fuss over me as material was chosen for my dress. She even cut a swatch of pink satin for me to fashion a dress for my doll. On the wedding day I carefully chose rose petals out of the brown straw basket I carried down the aisle, aware of smiling faces peering at me, and tossed the petals on the white satin carpet.
It was back in the 1940s that I remember sitting on the curb at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Highland Place as a pre-schooler, watching for my brother to come home. We were always delighted when the "cookie lady" invited us in for an after school fresh baked cookie.
Growing up on Grand Avenue in Ridgefield Park, NJ, I could view the very top of the Empire State building several miles away in New York City. Wonderful memories of those eventful years including cheerleading, bike riding, roller skating, climbing trees, singing and dancing in my own backyard, selling greeting cards to all my neighbors, babysitting the Green family on the corner, walking home alone at night from a High School basketball game without being afraid, (in fact walking everywhere!), listening to the fifteen minute radio programs, the excitement of watching television for the first time, picking up the black shiny telephone and responding to the operator's "Number please", constantly playing outside until hearing my dad's distinctive whistle calling me home.
Of course, more memories....High school activities, romances, dances, proms, the Honor Society, concerts, Methodist Youth Fellowship, ice cream at Wrede and Koops, movies at the local Rialto Theatre, honors, awards, meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, summers at Cape Cod. Then college memories...elected VP of freshman class at Hope College, Dorian Soriority, homesickness, more romances, no car so I walked everywhere, train rides to NJ for vacations. Entering Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in NYC for BS in Nursing degree program, riding NYC subways, waiting in line all night for 'standing room only' to see Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison in the hit Broadway production of My Fair Lady, more romances, working evenings alone on 12 bed ward and experiencing the death of a patient, walking along Ft Washington Ave and peering at the sky knowing the Russians had just launched 'Sputnik', the thrill as a nursing student of witnessing the birth of a newborn (Wow!), loving and caring for children and adults as they suffered through a debilitating illness.
The breathtaking excitement of really falling in love with 'the one' - Dick, getting engaged and celebrating a Christmastime wedding with a honeymoon in Nassau. Then the joys of holding our babies, years of parenting (crazy busy years) through toddler, school age, teen years, then college! Then the 4 children's weddings, establishing their working careers and then arrival of 12 blessed grandchildren. Lives so full and accomplished!
Of course, all this time both Dick and I were immersed in our own careers...Dick as teacher then elementary school principal plus all his additional community, county and state professional responsibilities. I had my musical, singing career with 1,000 plus concerts over 7 years across the USA, Canada, Japan, Bermuda, Mexico City and Hawaii. Busy, busy lives and precious memories.
I am convinced our physical, earthly life is a time of learning...a school where we make decisions that effect our eternal life. Now as I look back over 78 years, sure, I made a lot of stupid, self-centered, prideful mistakes. But I now rejoice that I have learned so much about God! Thinking of God when I was a young girl as Someone who loved me, who protected me and who gave me Jesus. I am thankful my loving parents encouraged my walk with Jesus and I am thankful my walk continued and drew me closer to the Lord. I am thankful that Jesus loves me and forgives me even when I'm going against His will. And then, most importantly, I know that I must acknowledge my sinfulness and come to Him on my knees with head bowed! Learning those powerful attributes about God and remembering them, gives me assurance of eternity with Him.
Since memories are very real to us in our minds, are they part of our soul? Will we carry memories into eternity? Philip Yancey gives me some answers...."heaven promises a timeless future of health and wholeness and pleasure and peace".
I just wonder. Our sweet, joyous memories are indelibly written. Why wouldn't God want us to keep our happy memories? Our memories are intangible...we can think them, but we can't touch, feel, smell, taste or see them. Memories are real! They are a recording of our life. Won't we be taking them with us to our heavenly home?
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24
