My uncle from New Brunswick, my father’s youngest brother, came for a visit recently.
It was such fun sharing memories, playing guitars together, singing and just getting reacquainted.
When he left though, I felt an overwhelming sadness. I was homesick. I wanted to see my dad, the Maritimes, the ocean, my cousins, aunts and uncles. I wanted to go back in time and relive the things that felt familiar and good.
You can’t go back. Not in reality. But when I thought for awhile and let the sadness pass, I began to feel thankful. Thankful for the people who touched my life, who loved me.
The gift of memory is bittersweet but it is still a gift and when I rejoice and thank God for everything in my life, good and bad, I am set free to give some of what I’ve been given to others.