Life is a fleeting journey, and it’s essential to make the most of the time we have with our loved ones, especially our parents. One day, they won’t be there anymore, and the memories we create with them become cherished treasures that bring solace and joy throughout our lives. Having lost my parents within a timespan of 1,5 years just recently, I would like to dedicate this blog post to why it’s crucial to create and preserve memories with our parents, emphasizing the importance of photographs, keepsakes, and the need to seize the opportunity to make lasting memories.
Life is unpredictable, and time waits for no one. Acknowledging the inevitability of our parents’ eventual absence reminds us of the urgency to create meaningful memories. Life’s uncertainties demand that we seize the present moment and make it count. By spending quality time with our loved ones, such as our parents, we strengthen bonds and create lasting memories that will sustain us long after they are gone.
One way to create memories, is by making photos. In this day and age, making photos is easier than ever before. Just grab your phone and snap hundreds of pictures, which you can easily store on huge hard drives with ample space. Photographs have an extraordinary ability to freeze a moment in time, capturing emotions, laughter, and shared experiences. They serve as tangible reminders of the joyous times we’ve shared with our loved ones. Take every opportunity to snap some photos – we have so much spaces on our computer and phone nowadays, you don’t have to worry about whether the picture is worth saving. You can always sort through your galleries on a rainy day.
Another fun thing you can, is get your hands on a mini thermal printer to print out nice photos on the spot. You could even laminate them, to preserve them. Carry these print outs with you in the case of your phone or wallet.
In addition to photographs, mementos like postcards, trinkets, and souvenirs carry immense sentimental value. These tangible reminders of shared experiences help us relive the past and evoke memories that fade with time. Collecting postcards from family trips, keepsakes from memorable events, or small trinkets that hold personal significance can become cherished possessions that connect us to the love and memories we shared with our loved ones.
The days seem long, and change feels distant, but time has a way of slipping through our fingers faster than we realize. Children grow up, parents age, and life evolves. It’s crucial to recognize that the present moment is a fleeting opportunity to create memories that will anchor us when everything inevitably changes.
In the photo above, you can see a decorated living room, a decorated table with tasty treats for the family. On the right side, you can see a bunch of Christmas cards attached to a Christmas string.
Christmas was always a big thing in my family, especially my mom loved it. She would start decorating in early December and her decorations were extensive: Christmas table cloths, Christmas lights, window decorations, fake snow, Christmas houses and puppets with lights and sounds, Santa Claus, wall decorations, you name it. If she could get her hands on it, she would get it. This, of course, in addition to Christmas chocolates and snacks, and a big, well-decorated Christmas tree!
In the Netherlands, a “snack bar” refers to a type of casual eatery or small restaurant that specializes in fast food, snacks, and typically serves takeaway or quick-service meals. Some of these snack bars are outfitted with fast food vending machines. It is a popular concept in Dutch culinary culture. Snack bars often offer a variety of deep-fried snacks like bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs), frikandel (a sausage-like snack), kroketten (croquettes), patat (French fries), and other quick bites. These establishments are known for their convenient and affordable food options, catering to locals and visitors looking for a quick and satisfying snack or meal on the go.
This snack bar was located right across from us, and has changed owners many times. It used to sell candy, piece by piece, when I was a kid. I would often go there with a small amount of money, for example 1 “gulden” (~0.45 EUR) and I could choose from many pieces of candy, starting at 5 cents each!
Later in life, I often went to this snack bar with my mom to get a bunch of tasty things to eat – always including fries. Those are my favorite!
I still remember going on a bike trip with my parents in 2012 – we biked often – and we saw this swan family cross the bike path.
Conclusion:
In the tapestry of life, the moments we spend with our parents are priceless threads that weave our story. Embrace the opportunity to create lasting memories with them, for one day, they won’t be there anymore. Capture those memories in photographs, preserve them through meaningful keepsakes, and relish the present, knowing that change is inevitable. Cherish the moments, for they will sustain you and bring warmth to your heart in the years to come. Embrace the chance to make beautiful memories with your loved ones, particularly your parents, and create a legacy of love that will endure throughout your lifetime.
