"Because who can describe the look that triggers the memory of loved ones? Who can anticipate the frown, the smile, or the misplaced lock of hair that sends a swift, undeniable signal from the past? Who can ever estimate the power of association, which is always strongest in moments of love and in memories of death?" -John Irving I smiled when I saw this flower at my mother in law's house. This flower made me think of my cousin, Fallon. It was from her that I learn what this interesting flower was called. It's called a Maypop. There flowers grow close to her house....she has many pictures of Maypops.
It's it crazy how something like that, something seemingly random, can trigger a memory. My sister law and I were just talking about this very subject this past weekend. As we were driving, she smelled a bonfire. She said it reminded her of a time in her life when she was young and every time she smelled fire, that is what she thought of. It made me think of all the things that trigger my own memory...
The moon will always make me think of cool nights fox-hunting. Riding on the dog box in the pitch black with my cousins ...singing, lauging, living. It reminds me of the sound of puppies trailing for the first time.
The smell of fire doesn't make me think of marshmallows or hotdogs, but sausage.
Coffee thermoses, sharp pocket knives, and butterflies make me think of my grandpa.
Trampolines make me think of my Aunt Faye's house, where we'd all go after we got off the school bus.
Diet coke makes me think of me watching Little House on the Prairie at my Aunt Lavan's house in the summer.
Thanksgiving makes me think of Indians and plays, not turkey or pilgrims.
Not the changing of the leaves or pumpkins make me think Fall, but the smell of a cinnamon broom.
And parks don't make me think of my son, but my husband.
I'm sure that these aren't all the things. But that is the beauty of it... it lays dormant and then manifests when triggered by a smell or a feeling. Then you remember, and you can live a little part of your life again.
"Our souls sit close and silently within, And their own webs from their own entrails spin; And when eyes meet far off, our sense is such, That, spider-like, we feel the tenderest touch." John Dryden
"Of course, part of the problem with redheads is that there aren't enough of them. They make up just two percent of the population. So they're pretty extraordinary. Redheads are too numerous to be ignored, too rare to be accepted." -Grant McCracken
"That was the first thing I had to learn about her, and maybe the hardest I've ever had to learn about anything. That she is her own, and what she gives me is her choosing and the more precious because of it. Sometimes a butterfly will come sit on your open palm, but if you close your hand, one way or another, it and it's choice to be there are gone."
"Because who can describe the look that triggers the memory of loved ones? Who can anticipate the frown, the smile, or the misplaced lock of hair that sends a swift, undeniable signal from the past? Who can ever estimate the power of association, which is always strongest in moments of love and in memories of death?" -John Irving 
"What do you say in a moment like this? When you can't the words, to tell it like it is. Just close your eyes and let your heart lead the way. Oh, what do you say?" -Reba McIntire
Eli is four years old and full of questions. Why? When? Where? Why? Why? Why? Today at the grave site, he asked questions I couldn't answer. How do you explain death and dying and the afterlife to a four year old? How could I look in to those tear filled eyes and tell him the right answer when he asked me why he can't talk to his grandpa anymore? When he asked my why he had to die. And when he told me that he misses him, as fat tears rolled down his cheeks. What is a good enough answer?
"The are not royal. They just happen to have me as their aunt." - Elizabeth II
