The past couple years have been very transitional for our family. From cancer, leaving our church and my parents moving out of state, we have had to start over in many ways and move through hard emotions. Along the way I have had many trigger moments.
For example, when I walked into a store a few months ago, I was triggered by the memories of visiting that store often when I was going throughtreatment. My daughter, Kate, was with me and saw my eyes tear up. She asked if I was okay. I explained to her I was revisiting a memory and would be okay. I just needed to move through it. Her response to me captured my heart. She said, “Mom, we are making new memories.”
The wisdom in her words has resonated with me ever since. I have had many more trigger moments, including passing my parent’s old home in our hometown.
This morning, rather than reliving the old memories, the boys and I made new ones on the old dock at the beach by my parents old home. It was a first time we had been back in almost a year, and it nourished my soul, and theirs, in so many ways.
I share this with you in case you too have trigger moments where memories from the past flood you and can get you stuck in what was, whether it was good or bad. I invite you to join me to...
Pause. Breathe. Pray.
May we take the wisdom in Kate’s words, and make new memories in their place and may those new memories be healing for our soul.
With love and hope,
Shawn
