It is as if the past has never occurred. Physical pieces of her memorabilia and furniture now reside in her children's homes. Yet, seeing them evokes little recollection for her. That past is not only over, it is nearly gone. Some days, I'm not sure who I am or where I am.
Memories serve as a compass and as an anchor.
Without memory, we can become adrift in a sea of uncertainty, confusion, and fear. Surely, remembering is a precious and priceless gift of grace. My mother was trained in prayer. While many things from her past have diminished, her ability to pray continues to amaze me. Without hesitation, just as she was trained, my mom gives thanks to God for the day as it is beginning, for the evening that draws each day to a close, and for God' s faithfulness in the present as well as in the past.