The spunky little lady stood there holding the Disney themed children’s place set in her hands- so firmly that I didn’t think there was a chance she’d sell it to me.

“Well this was my granddaughters and she’s all grown now and the country she lives in doesn’t have Disney. I’m moving to a retirement home so I have to get rid of this. But it’s so many memories. How much would you pay me? This is really hard on me.”

At this point I realized that I didn’t have enough money in my banking account to purchase this item. Instead of seeing the potential customer in front of her- I could tell that her memory was pulling up a little girl with tiny ponytails, in a high chair, eating spaghetti and jabbering about the Snoopy fork and spoon.

“Well, would you pay me a dollar?”

“Yes, ma’am, I sure would! I can assure you that my nephews will love this well.”

As I paid her and slid the set into my backpack and hurried away, I kept feeling like I’d purchased something almost sacred.

How much can one pay for a lifetime of memories?

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Snapchat scares me sometimes. Everyday it creates a little story with Bitmoji’s and the storylines follow my thought process a little too closely. (The other very exciting yard sale bargain from Saturday was a pressure canner)

This was Sunday’s story:

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These days I am preserving memories as hard as I can go:

One of the last memories canned I guess should be labeled as “Sardines” or “Pishhh” 😂 Both Julia’s and Cousin Twila’s twins were at the pond. Aunt Em found some earthworms and helped each of the boys catch multiple Bluegill with a tiny fishing pole left by a guest. Each catch (no matter the size) was properly celebrated and the entire evening a riot. “MOM! I JUST CAUGHT THE TINIEST FISH I EVER SAW!!”

Apple Delight: the Apple Tree in our backyard was gorgeous again this year. Trying to take a pic on self timer was ridiculous. How do you tell a dog where to look and when to smile 😂 this is the only pic that we got that was half decent.

Hopefully a lot more actual preserves comes from our attempt at gardening. Ideally the resident watchdog will sit on the edge and keep the critters at bay- and not turn the place into a series of Dirt Digging Festivities 😅

I’m happy that we’re preserving memories because we sure aren’t preserving mushrooms 😂 Ben and I still enjoyed an afternoon of rambling around in his family’s woods even if the only thing we brought home was an old stump for our flowerbed.

Years from now, I don’t know what will bring back the most nostalgia for me. But if I could literally can a moment… As children, we spent days riding with Father in his cabover, grabbing a bite to eat occasionally (when he wasn’t too busy to remember to be hungry😂.) Watching the twins get to experience some of the same fun gives me all the feels.

I’m savoring this current life we’re living as much as I can. I hope that I never forget this feeling of awe/incredible blessing. I can’t get over how much fun it is to set up our own house. I hope this honeymoon stage lasts for another 50 years. Two months in- we should be good, right? I’m storing memories regardless.

Ps 16:5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Pause for a moment and savor the memories you’re canning today ❤️

Kendra