Memory Lane

It's fun being back in Northern Iowa for a few days before heading back to Indiana. I lived in Iowa from the age of 8 until 20; so I have a lot of memories of this area. I've been sharing some of these memories with Shelby (6 years old) as we are out and about. I don't think Shelby appreciates all of the interesting facts that I've been sharing with her though. For instance, today I pointed out the general vicinity where I bought my first bean-bag with my hard earned money. That really didn't impress her much; I can't blame her though that memory even bores me.

Later in the day we went to the mall, where Shelby made a bee line for the Claires store. She quickly placed some of her, not-so-hard-earned money from "Grandma J", down on a kitty cat to add to her growing population of stuffed animals. I thought for a moment to tell Shelby that she was standing in the exact spot that I bought her mommy's wedding ring 18 years ago, back when the store was Stadheim Jewelers. I would have told her that money I spent on the wedding ring was hard earned too...

But instead, I decided to create a new memory; you know, it's the one where my little girl and I walk into a store she loves, hand in hand, with some "Grandma loves me money" burning a hole in her pocket. It's the memory of seeing her eyes light up with joy as she finds that little item that brings a smile to her face. It's the realization of the irony of the moment; I'd better enjoy the short time that I have with my little girl before her eyes light up at a wedding ring of her own and I'm walking her down the wedding aisle. So instead of making that moment about me and my memories, I decided to make that moment about ... that moment.

The past is great; memory lane can be a lot of fun - but not at the expense of missing the present.