Healthy Living for the Soul

Family Stories - Shared Memories

“With the holidays coming, I was thinking of my childhood, and all of these wonderful memories came flooding back.” I received those precious words in a text message from my daughter recently; of course, the note made me smile. I was close to her age and very busy with family and career when my mother passed away. We lived a thousand miles from her and didn’t have cell phones with video chats. Times are changing so quickly; let’s not take for granted the technology we have to stay connected even if we can’t be together in person.

My mama made holidays special with foods she served only once a year: divinity candy, fudge, and pies with pecans from my grandparents’ tree, fruit salad with maraschino cherries, lemon, and chocolate meringue pies. Oh! Also, she made the best banana pudding with vanilla wafers. So what treats do you remember from your holidays?

We celebrated Christmas with all our relatives at my grandparents’ home in southwest Louisiana when I was a child. Santa miraculously arrived on their front porch while we shot fireworks and played in the backyard. Presents covered the living room floor. I have no memory of gifts I received when I was eight, but I will never forget my cousin giving his girlfriend an engagement ring on the nose of a large stuffed, white toy poodle. We all knew the ring was there, but sadly all she could see was the poodle she unwrapped until Mike said, “Look, Marie, doesn’t it have the cutest nose?” We all cheered and clapped as she cried tears of joy after finally spotting the ring.

My husband and I celebrated Christmas Eve 2015 at our home with our oldest daughter and grand-girls here in town before heading to Texas the next morning to visit with our younger daughter and extended family. As we exchanged gifts, our daughter shared a very special story of how she would remember us when we are gone. My husband wiped tears from his eyes and told her that story was the best Christmas present she could have given him. We didn’t know that one month later, he would be gone through an accidental death. The story lives on.

Holidays often bring sadness because loved ones are no longer with us or they are too far away for a visit. So why not put together a collection of stories of your holiday memories to share with loved ones, or add an extra line or two of memories to that greeting card. Do you have holiday food traditions? Want to give a treasured gift? Write down a recipe with a memory story on a keepsake card. Share them with friends or family this holiday season and ask others to share a memory or two from their family traditions. Our shared stories connect us.

Healthy, happy holidays for your soul, from my home and heart to yours.

Cheryl Floyd, Speaker/Storyteller and Heal your Life® Coach. Cheryl Floyd is a graduate of East Tennessee State University’s Master Storytelling program. Her career includes over thirty years in education, publishing, life coaching, public speaking, and storytelling. www.cherylfloyd.com