When Memories of a Deceased Loved One Come Up

When memories of a deceased loved one come up, I respond in different ways, don’t you? Last week Friday, I went into a grocery store that had an autumn display of red, orange, green, and brown leaves, pumpkins in different sizes, and a variety of apples in a basket.

My late Mom used to bake the most delicious apple pies. In the fall, the family would gather at the dinner table and enjoy a slice of pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I could picture that dessert on the table and smell the aroma of hot apple pie.

I journaled about the wonderful memories of my late mom baking pies. Although I miss Mom and her baking, those memories made me smile and thank God for them. When memories of a deceased loved one come up, what do you do?

On another occasion, I drove by the home where my parents lived for more than forty years and parked in the driveway for two minutes. Mom is in heaven, and Dad is in a nursing home. Their former home doesn’t look the same anymore. It seems cold and barren without them there.

I remembered how Mom planted red geraniums in the front yard and rows of colorful impatiens in the side yard. When that memory came up, sadness swept over me. Tears flowed, and I pulled out more than one tissue. Later, I journaled about that experience.

If similar memories of a deceased loved one come up for you, how do you respond? Do you push the feelings down and pretend everything is fine, or do you admit your feelings and allow yourself to cry? Do you journal about those memories?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4a: “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh.”

Prayer: Dear God, when memories of a deceased loved one come up, help me to weep if I need to. Help me to laugh or at least smile, if the memories fill me with warmth, gratitude, or joy. Amen.

How will you respond this week when memories of a loved one come up?

Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega IX.XXV.MMXVII