Preserving

The joys of preserving all the bounty. Last fall I was so caught up in preserving jams, pickles, relishes, salsa, freezing whatever I could to store away for those winter days ahead. I was busy doing this right up to Christmas. It was a very busy season, but very satisfying when all was completed.

This fall is leading me into a different type of preserving. I find my preserving is more like preserving all the memories I can.

Knowing our daughter would be leaving this fall, three provinces over, that’s all.

What should I do up today? All those memories are filling in, the crazy year we have had. To the many, many “first of the lasts”. Oh, how many trips you and dad made for your prom dress? To your first day of school and your last day of school. To my excitement in packing your last lunch; now if I could only have that again. To those last few days together. Memories I will cherish. Preserving the last minutes and seconds. You sprawled out on the hotel floor loading your music as I was finishing your last laundry before the big day. You wrapped up in the hotel room with the blanket that you wished you could keep. The same blanket I curled up with that first night apart. The empty bed. Could I just have you lying there again?

The Tim Horton’s visit that seems now so empty, where just the night before the three of us sat.

Preserving all your childhood memories and waking up knowing that you are now a young lady. I will cherish all the preserving as the days go by. A capsule not yet closed for more memories to be made.