The best of… hard to recreate memories

 

You know when they do those things where they ask you about a final meal, or the thing you’d like to do one more time?

Have you ever thought about the answers?

I can think about things that I’ve done alone or experienced with family and friends. Meals that have been cooked, evenings spent around tables with cards or campfires, vacations and house projects and all sorts of things.

But if challenged with some types of bucket lists, of things I’d like to do for once and things I’d like to do one last time, I’m not sure which list would be easier to finish. Because the truth is, I have some pretty special memories and experiences, and my guess is that you do as well.

Incredibly, there are some moments that involve absolutely nothing.

Really.

Nothing.

And several of them.

Maybe that’s not being fair. Sunsets would likely be a part of many of those moments of nothing. Beautiful sunsets, especially surrounded by people you care about in amazing locations, are fantastic (even when you’re just standing there in silence taking it all in). Not sure that nothing really works when given some deep thought.

But in many ways, it is being fair. Any of us could fire up a grill right now, invite some friends over, and break out good food and drink. A summary of sorts might be that the bread you’re breaking doesn’t need to be fancy to be delicious, especially when the company is good.

A few friends of mine have shared a common observation. They love to make fun of people that seem to watch their lives pass through their phones. They laugh at those so busy setting up the camera on their phones to take pictures or videos, they forget to actually take in the experience. It’s all through a lens. The live beauty is never there.

They have a point. A good one.

Some of the greatest things from your life have no documentation. This is especially true for the spontaneous moments… the ones not attached to expected celebrations or gatherings. Yes, sure, there are probably pictures of people blowing out the candles on a birthday cake. But you didn’t have a camera handy for every sunset.

And that brings us back around to the start.

I could easily hit pecan rolls and pork pies. Mom’s Christmas cookies would be up there. But the problem is, if I was going over food, it would become a long list.

And what about vacations? As much as I am ready to head back to Nashville and Disney World and Australia and lots of other places, I still haven’t been to Alaska.

There are books I want to read and movies I want to see and… and…

Some of those things are moments I’ll never get back to try again. Because the reality is, the road ahead of me has a ton of things that are going to be new and wonderful. The road behind me includes family and friends I will never see again. And that’s ok.

Because while the best of my life is in many ways behind me, every day gives me the opportunity to make it one of the best as well. There are great things ahead, and I don’t need a list for that.

 

If you have any comments or questions, please e-mail me at Bob@inmybackpack.com