There is a ‘wishing squirrel’ tied around my wrist. Its cord matches my dressing gown. The red squirrel. ‘Tufty’ to most of my generation in this country… has been under threat from the invasion of its grey cousins for years and where once they were a common sight, they are now a rarity across most of the land. I have caught glimpses on my travels, but no photographs… no snapshot to hold and remember.
Memories, though, I do have… of watching them as a child with my grandfather, deep in the Fall Woods, dodging the small missiles they threw at me every morning as I walked through the trees on my way to school, excitement as a red flash ran across a road near Glen Lyon… And, while photographs and keepsakes may perish or be lost, memories persist, even when our minds may no longer be able to access them.
I would like to think that the earth holds memory in trust for us too, ready to share them with some new heart that is open and listening. Maybe they return as the touch of inspiration, a feeling of love or knowledge all unreasonable for the time and place, that comes in and whispers to our inner ear, leaving us with unexpected gifts. I do not believe that any experience is ever wasted… unless we choose to ignore what it offers.
Two days ago, I ‘met’ with two dear friends. It was not the way we had planned, but it is the way it now has to be. The memories we made will, perhaps, not be with me for long… the uncertainty of exactly when the Reaper has scheduled me for collection is not easy but he can take his time as far as I am concerned… but the strange thing is how wide the ripples of memory will and have spread.
Total strangers responding to a quiet call for help made up parcels that transported three women across a continent in isolation to a meeting on a beautiful island, filled with its art, its tastes, scents and colours. All that was missing was the ability to hug each other. We shared beauty, laughter and the inevitable tears … and we made memories.
Perhaps memories are personal, maybe they do not have to persist in order to change the world… even our own… but while they do, they are precious. As I approach the end of my own life all too rapidly, I am conscious of how rich the vein of memory is… and how many of its threads are common to us all. Mary Smith, with whom I have walked the past few months of this journey through cancer, will be teaching an online writing class on this subject soon… Mining Memories. For writers, there can be no better source inspiration. For those of us with time to look back and read what we have written in the books of our lives, there is no better way of checking that we filled every page with something worth living.
So many of the small moments that we have taken for granted assume their true proportions when we look back… Things like smiling across a room at a stranger, cooking with a child, breathing in the first summer sun or the last of the winter snow… Most of the time such moments pass insignificantly by, almost unnoticed… but they should be savoured. They are not the mundane bits and pieces that always drop to the bottom of the bag, but the raw gems from which strings of jewelled memories can be made… and perhaps, if the earth holds our memories in trust, it is their sparkle that we see when the frost or the first dews of spring catch the light.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Pingback: The giftie… — Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo |
I love reading your appreciation of every day moments. There is much to be grateful for. As I sat on swing outside today I was gloriously happy for the few hours of rain in our area. We are facing a long drought again and the memories of watching the drops filled my heart.
It is wonderful that you were able to share lovely moments with dear friends. Sending virtual hugs.
Lauren
LikeLiked by 3 people
I am so very grateful for that time together, just lauching and talking… being human together. Love can be expressed in so many ways…
LikeLiked by 2 people
It surely can. I miss being with friends. I like “being human together.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss the hugs…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too. So very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Magic moments.💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Inded they were ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on willowdot21 and commented:
Magic moments are precious.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Your post is a breath of fresh air, Sue… reminding me of the importance to turn away from the everyday worries and problems that seem determined to rob us of our senses. To concentrate on what really matters to us, all those things we miss so much…
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have all suffered a bereavement o nomality this past year. I think we have a right and a need to grieve for that and for those who did not survive it. But we still need to remember to live, love and laugh with a capital ‘L’ x
LikeLiked by 3 people
That we must, Sue…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful words Sue.
It is something I am becoming more and more conscious of now. When I finish work, I try to switch off and forget about it, even more so when I have a bad day. I have a little boy now and I want to enjoy and savour every moment I get to spend with him, the last thing he needs is a grumpy mummy worrying about work. So, I try to switch it off and focus on him, be in the moment.
Take Care.
Much Love.
KL ❤
LikeLike
That’s the right way forward… and your son will keep you in the moment, if you let him. ❤ xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Memories and time spent with friends are precious indeed. It’s marvelous that you got to meet your friends virtually and shared beautiful memories! Time for each of us is limited and we all should be mindful of what we do and how we spend it. Lots of hugs my friend.
LikeLike
We none of us ever know between which two breaths our lives will end… it would be a shame to waste such a precious gift.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, you’re absolutely right. The time can be any moment! The important thing is to go without regrets.
LikeLike
Yes, any time…
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌹🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
My memories are never as clear as I would like them to be, and that worries me sometimes. The gentle fade. But the prospect of spinning them into gold dust, as you do, is a wonderful one. This is beautiful, Sue 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Writing about them, or ‘fixing’ them with photographs is a good way to keep them fresh.
LikeLike
Until recently I wrote a daily diary. Heaven knows where I’d end up if i started reading them 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
It is surprising what we pour out into those pages once they become our friends. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A reminder for us to live each day to the full, Sue. All life on earth is uncertain as to its duration and quality.
LikeLike
It is…and we do ignore that, all the time.
LikeLike
It’s wonderful you’re making as many more memories like this with those you’re going to be leaving behind. I know they’ll treasure them when your time comes to go on to whatever comes next. It’s interesting some of the memories you focus on when someone has gone, and how those memories show up unexpectedly to make you smile. I’m finding that with memories of my Nan, and – though I miss her terribly, and it hurts still that she’s gone – it helps. I’m glad you’re being given some time to make a few more memories with those you care about (even if current circumstances mean you can’t do things exactly how you wish you could) and certain those memories will bring those people comfort later. I’m only sorry you can’t give them the hugs you wish you could.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am very grateful to wake up every morning now and know I have chance to make a few more memories. I may be hugging a few small people a little more than I ‘should’…. but only on doctors’ orders!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Under the circumstances, I don’t blame you for doing so in the least – especially given that it’s under doctors orders.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on pensitivity101 and commented:
I remember red squirrels, and those I have actually seen are so small compared to their grey counterparts. I believe Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour is still a haven for the red squirrel. We have only seen two or three grey squirrels since our move here in 2017, so as it was when I was a child, to see one is a novelty. Happy days Sue.
LikeLike
I see squirrels here fairly frequently… more so in town thoug at Nick’s garden. But it is always a treat to see them 🙂
LikeLike
My Mum was fascinated by a pair that would come into my sister’s back garden.
LikeLike
The best was when Nick called me up about the ‘bald-tailed- squirrels on his feeders…
LikeLike
eekkkkkkkk rats? or mice?
We were having lunch with the Mums and sister in law, when Hubby got up and left the room. He came back with his air rifle, quietly opened the patio door, and one large rat did a backward somersault with twist and double tuck off the bird feeder. He closed the door, put the rifle to one side and resumed his dinner. My Mum sat there, fork poised, then carried on eating too. MIL and SIL were far from happy!!! Hubby cannot abide rats.
LikeLike
Rats… They were, unfortunately, very cute 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t mind mice, but any rats that came into the garden from the farmers field when we were in the cottage didn’t leave. They were pretty good gymnasts too.
LikeLike
They are. Fascinating to watch… and so intelligent.
LikeLike
They are smart. A friend had a white one called Gerald……………..
LikeLike
We used to have Oscar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every day is a gift Sue, and as you say, we miss so many simple, yet beautiful moments.
Another lovely post. I have fond memories of Brownsea Island, and apart from the red squirrels, there were plenty of gnats too!!
Hugs by proxy for you all ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gnats I can live without, I have to say… 😉 Hugs
LikeLike
I was bitten in places I didn’t even know I had!!
❤
LikeLike
I can imagine! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful, Sue. Memories should be treasured. Even painful ones, so we can learn. I am guilty of pushing those to the back of my mind, I’m afraid.
But those jewels should be brought out and polished until they gleam.
LikeLike
It is from the darkest times that we learn the most… we learn very little from happiness apart from to appreciate it.
LikeLike
Seen through our memories, all the hugs are virtual. Our ‘meeting’ this week was a virtual hug, one I’ll relive in my memories. Thank you Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was beautiful, Barb… and it meant the world to be able to get together. And I felt well and truly hugged.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for making our meeting happen, Barb, and creating our memories.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks to both of you… I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. xx
LikeLike
Words I will hold dear, Sue, and will try to keep in mind.
The mundane, unimportant ‘worries’., can devour the day far too easily. You have such a glorious and generous soul. Today I will face what I have been avoiding with one relationship, and I thank you for your help ( as you have often done in the past – and no doubt will do in the future, through these words).
Two phrases printed out and now on on the wall of my study…
“I would like to think that the earth holds memory in trust for us too, ready to share them with some new heart that is open and listening…”
“I do not believe that any experience is ever wasted… unless we choose to ignore what it offers.”.
So, to be a little mundane… big cheers to you, my lovely online friend – and much love. Sending a little part of the peace I now hold in my heart. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Judith… Sending hugs to you. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
each moment is so very precious and we often fail to see that
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do… and every one of them may become the most precious we could ever live 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was happily amazed that Mary’s oncologist knew about the Zoom meeting, too. We’re thankful you were able to arrange a Zoom meeting and make lasting memories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a lovely gift, Joelle 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: It takes an island… #Arran #Scotland #friendship | Barb Taub
Memories are the sincerest form of immortality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely put:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re going to be scattering a lot of sparkle, Sue. Every time I see a Tufty from now on, I’ll think of you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a nice thought to carry with me, Jane 🙂
LikeLike
You’ll have so many of those you’re going to have to pay excess luggage 🙂
LikeLike
It would be worth it 🙂
LikeLike
Of course 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful thought: ” to think that the earth holds memory in trust for us too, ready to share them with some new heart that is open and listening”
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
In many ways our lives are shaped and defined by our memories, even those forgotten ones. And a huge part of living is creating those new memories. I am glad you are still making such memories – I read Barb’s account of the meeting (and the video is still playing on my computer!) What a wonderful community she has up there! And it sounds like a wonderful meeting you had, a wellspring of new memories.
LikeLike
I’ll make memories as long as I can 🙂 It was such a lovely thing to be able to share time… and to feel wrapped in the care of that beautiful island and its people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am hoping there will be many more memories made 🙂
LikeLike
I hope so.. but I doubt time is now on my side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might not be, but in the mean time, I’m sure every grand-child smile and little black dog tail wag creates its own memory.
LikeLike
Oh yes… I’m collecting them all 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you are 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was such a special get together with you and Barb. I remember Rufty, of course, He taught us road sense, didn’t he?
Red squirrels live in the woods at Cairn Holy, by the way.
LikeLike
That’s the one. Odd the things that come back…
Now, for some reason, it doesn’t surprise me that the red squirrels are still at the old sites. I have seen them near Castlerigg too in Cumbria…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Magical World of G. Michael Vasey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Plenty of red ‘uns hereabouts…. but alone at night under curfew, ‘memories’ is the place I often go ….
LikeLike
Memories are precious fr all sorts of reasons.
LikeLike
what a beautiful tribute to one’s memories; this post reminds me of the wonderful song “Memory” by Barbara Streisand…
LikeLike
Always a firm favurite, that ine… thouh I would struggle to listen to it now without a tear, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see how that song would have such an effect…
LikeLike
I’m a bit fragile round the edges sometimes at the moment 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire how diligent you continue to be about replying to comments! 🙂
LikeLike
I will while I can Jim. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful words that touch the 💓
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful words that touch the heart
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Lovely post, Sue. We are so blessed to have memories, even the not so pleasant ones contribute to the story of our lives. It’s interesting, but for months now, my cousins and I have spent hours and hours sharing our memories of growing up, into our early adulthood and some much more recent. It has brought us even closer and I cherish the time we spend “together” and all those times we spent, the laughter, the meals, the outings, the parties and weddings, small family gatherings and large ones — all of it. I love getting to live it all over again. ❤️
LikeLike
That is the best bit, getting to share them. At the moment I am preparing books for reissue… books that document the magical journeys Stuart and I have taken… Reliving them as I edit is wonderful 🙂
LikeLike
I live in “gray squirrel country” but am rooting for the red ones over there. 🙂 We like the ones inhabiting our yard except for the times when they tried getting a little too familiar and chewing on the insulation around our door frame….
LikeLike
They can be abit destructive , unfortunately. The red ones tend to be shyer…
LikeLike
A beautiful post about mindfulness and the gifts of memory, Sue. I’m glad you got to spend some time sharing wonderful memories with friends. Especially when every moment matters so deeply, I hope you enjoy them. Sending hugs.
LikeLike
I did, Diana… beautiful gifts, from the first smile to the last photo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a wonderful post, Sue. Your wise and beautiful words have such a resonance with me today. “So many of the small moments that we have taken for granted assume their true proportions when we look back…raw gems from which strings of jewelled memories can be made…” Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you, Wendy.
LikeLike
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom with us, Sue, a reminder that it is those small moments that in the end are the most dear. May I never forget that.
So glad you got to visit with Barb and Mary, sounds like it was very special time.
Sending you a huge hug across the miles. ❤
LikeLike
If I hadnt needed the painkillers, I would happily have still been thete nattering, I think, Eliza… and there are so many others I wish I had teh energy to call too! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
That’s so beautiful, Sue. Hugs from me too.
LikeLike
It was such a wonderful thing to be abe to share 🙂 Hugs.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing it, Sue. People can be so generous and welcoming… ♥
LikeLike
It was such an wonderful thing to have been touched by, Olga.
LikeLike
I love watching our fox squirrels! They are so smart. We feed them. They run and chase and have tiffs with blue jays and crows. It is enjoyable and memory making. Thank you for reminding us to cherish memories!
LikeLike
I haven’t had a good look at a red squirrel for years… but they are all entertaining to watch 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful, Sue!
LikeLike
Such a wonderful gift 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: You sure you want to be a writer? Now? #humor #covid #writing | Barb Taub
Pingback: It takes an island… #Arran #Scotland #friendship – France & Vincent
Pingback: Hey 2021…can we get a do-over? #2021 #humor #NewYear | Barb Taub