Remembering Best

I celebrated a birthday in the past week and it was a card from a dear aunt that spurred the idea for this week’s entry. She wrote, “I remember you best at 16.” My first thoughts were, “That’s a nice age to be remembered at!”

She and my uncle moved out of state a year or so later and they had lived close enough to be involved in my day-to-day living for 5 or so years before moving. I was very sorry to see them move, even though I had reached an age where I would be leaving for college myself.

No one knows how long special people will be with us or involved in our daily lives. Sometimes we are privileged with a lifetime of close encounters, others are but moments or are hampered by long distance, but the privilege is no less. One thing I feel certain about is that God has his hand in these encounters and He delights in them.

I remember best that at 16, this aunt made me feel loved and special. Her eyes twinkled and I always felt like she was glad to see me. I could make her laugh. She stayed up late watching TV with me when no one else would. She helped me get permission to go on a date 2 weeks before I turned the official 16. She liked desserts. I liked desserts. I always thought her smile was beautiful.

Teenagers crave to feel loved and accepted in the presence of those who surround them. At least I know I did. There’s an awful lot to deal with out there in the wide world and having a circle of people who provide you with that “soft place to fall” is comforting.

Whether it’s a quick encounter in the school parking lot, a family gathering or your day-to-day interactions, perhaps there is a teenager or child or “any-ager” in your life who will remember you best for any number of reasons but hopefully, mostly, for the times you made them feel loved.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

Be the living expression of God’s kindness:

kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, and kindness in your smile.
~Mother Theresa