Tag: Memories

The Year That I Found the Golden Egg

Growing up, the holidays were always held at my beloved grandparents’ house. All of us would travel to their house for good food and great company. I have so many beautiful memories of celebrating the holidays with them.

Every Easter, my sister and I would wear our Easter dresses to Church mass and then mom and dad would take us to our grandparents’ house for lunch and a celebration. We would start Easter by talking and socializing with each other, then we would gather around the large family table full of food. There were so many of us that we actually had to sit in three different rooms while we were eating. I sure do miss those days.

Each family would bring a dish or dessert to share. I remember rice crispy treats, chocolate egg candies, jelly eggs, pasta salad, ham, greens, deviled eggs, and potato salad to name a few. After lunch, it was time for the Easter egg hunt!

Hunting for Eggs

Before the egg hunt started, my aunt announced that for that particular year, there was going to be a large golden egg filled with extra treats and some money. I remember glowing with the thought of finding the golden egg, but I knew the odds were so small because there were so many of us. We all grabbed a bag and headed outside to see how many eggs we could find and what kind of goodies and surprises were inside. My eye was on the prize, but I carried on knowing most likely it wasn’t going to be me. We found so many eggs that day. Some were so well hidden that it really took a very close look to find them.

I kept walking around the grass and finding eggs. One by one, I put them in my basket and kept walking in hopes to find that special golden egg. I found all of the colors in the rainbow but not the golden egg. I looked behind a little tree and there nestled behind its branches was…the Golden Egg! I remember being so surprised that I had actually found it. The odds were so small, and I just wasn’t thinking that it was going to be me. I remember smiling from ear to ear and being overjoyed that I had found this special little prize! Besides the extra goodies inside, I didn’t think too deeply about finding them, but today as an adult, my reflection on this memory has taught me three things.

  • To win, you have to play. It sounds simple, but had I not even gone out looking for eggs, I wouldn’t have found the special one at all
  •  Even when the odds are against you and you think that there is a slim chance of getting what you desire or seek to find, you can! There is always that hope. It may or may not work out, but at least you tried. One never knows what might happen just by trying
  •  Things happen when we least expect them! I was going about my day collecting multi-colored eggs when BAM! I found the golden one

Life

When the odds are against you in life, don’t give up. Keep going and keep trying. You never know what you might find if you try. Something beautiful and totally unexpected might be just around the corner!

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The Leprechaun Trap

It seems like every holiday takes me back to family traditions and fun school memories as a child. On St. Patrick’s Day when I was in elementary school, we were assigned a very fun project that I still remember today. It also left me with a reminder about life.

Our goal was to catch a leprechaun! The instructions were to get a pencil box and decorate it with stickers, glitter, or art of any kind. We were told to use our creativity and design the box any way that we liked. Our teacher helped us cut out a pot of gold and a rainbow made out of construction paper. We put this inside the pencil box to lure the leprechauns in. The final piece was to put an upright pencil inside of the box to prop open the lid. We placed these on our desks as we left for the day and waited for the magic!

That Night

I remember going home so excited to tell my parents and my sister what I had made in class and what we were going to catch that night. I was excited with anticipation of wondering what we might see the next day. My mind flooded with thoughts. “Are leprechauns real?” “Is it possible to catch one?” “What if this is just for fun?” I tried not to let those thoughts keep me from the fun! I was a child that adored magic and I liked to believe in anything and everything. I felt that it created so much happiness and excitement.

I couldn’t wait to get back to school the next day. My mind was busy wondering if we had caught anything in our traps! The possibility was thrilling.

The Next Day

I went to school the next day dressed in green with my treats in hand for the classroom party. I walked quickly into the classroom to see what had unfolded from the night before. There were tiny black footprints on our desks and the walls. We could find these little prints around the room. They were on the tables, in the bathroom, on the floor…it was magical!

Our teacher had used paint and a sponge to create these little footprints, like that from the black boots of a tiny leprechaun. My heart filled with joy! At that very moment, leprechauns were real, even if only in my heart.

Life Relationship

There is a lot in life that we wonder about. There are many things that we can’t see or explain. There is always the possibility that someone or something in our lives isn’t real, but we keep going and believing in whatever makes us happy, whatever brings us joy in this crazy world.

We have goals and dreams. We might know that the possibility of reaching these dreams is very small, but a possibility is a possibility. There is a chance, and it is that hope that we hold onto! Keeping hope lets us have fun and keeps us motivated. We keep trying and trying until we are the person that we want to be, and we keep persisting until our dreams have been met.

Even when we knew we possibly wouldn’t catch a leprechaun, the chance was there and that made for some magical and fun memories! I think that we could all benefit greatly in life if we chose to keep hope alive and know that there is a chance for anything to happen, no matter how small!

365 Days

A photo is a memory captured at that very moment. A moment that we will never get back. The memory will carry on as will the emotions and feelings attached to it, but the actual memory is frozen in time.

I was looking through some of my pictures and I happened to stumble upon one that was taken exactly one year ago today. I stared at the picture, and I couldn’t believe that a year had passed.

The photo was of my children sitting at their little table painting a picture. I remember this moment plain as day. Their smiling faces, the beautiful colors of paint, and the creativity that flowed from them even in their young age. I was in shock that 365 days had passed since that photo was taken. 365 days had passed since that memory was experienced.

Time Flies

Growing up, I always heard from those older than me that “time flies.” I kept hearing that the older that you get, time passes even quicker. I didn’t know what anyone meant by this when I was young. It felt like Christmas came every 10 years as a child because to me it felt that time passed so slowly.

As I grow older, I can see that this is exactly the case. I’m only in my thirties, but it seems like every year passes quicker than the last. Time just keeps moving. I think this may also have to do with having a family and more responsibilities. It keeps me busy and constantly moving.

Reliving the Past

I look back at photos or think of a memory and I can’t even believe that so much time has passed. This is another reminder to live life to the fullest and cherish every moment for one day it becomes a memory. These beautiful memories that we collect along the way stay with us for a lifetime.

Sometimes it takes a date and time stamp on a photo to realize how fast this precious life goes. It is also amazing to see change and growth that occurs throughout the years!

Bubble Tea

There is a special little treat that is unlike any other that I have ever tried. It has been a tradition with some of my friends and I when we go to the mall, or even when the craving hits!

This special tea is served in many different flavors like milk tea, coconut, taro, matcha, and oolong. Not only is it known for its delicious flavors, but it’s also known for the black chewy tapioca pearls known as “bubbles!” I always get mine iced.

Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is also served with many different surprises inside by request, this can include different flavored jellies and different types of tapioca pearls. The flavors and possibilities are endless!

Tradition

I am a lover of traditions and routines. I almost always get bubble tea when I am at the mall. It has become a tradition when I go with my loved ones too. This delicious treat is one that I always look forward to. It is so unique and something that I truly enjoy. Getting one brings back many memories of summer fun with my friends.

Bubble tea is usually served with a large straw that is big enough to drink the tea and allow the tapioca pearls to pass through. It is a pleasant, chewy surprise after taking a sip of tea. I have bought the pearls and bubble tea mix at the store to make it at home, but it doesn’t take anything like the one that is bought from an actual bubble tea shop or restaurant.

I have been known to get bubble tea as a pick-me-up and as a reward for a stressful day a work. I think it’s wonderful that we have something to look forward to that can get us through the day, or a tough moment. A little treat, a little self-love, goes a long way.

What About You?

Have you ever tried bubble tea before? What sort of treats or traditions do you have when you have had a long day, or just want to enjoy something?

It is amazing how something so small can change a day around and bring a much-needed smile!

For Sale

A few weeks ago, I looked outside

There was a large moving truck with nowhere to hide

I watched as you took your belongings out to the truck

You were peaceful neighbors, we were in luck

We shared a smile or two

Our kids played outside together as little kids do

We didn’t know you very well

The thought of you leaving still makes our hearts swell

It’s funny how we got so used to seeing you every day

Of course, we wish that you would stay

We really hope that you like your new place

A for sale sign is what we now must face

Silliness

It feels silly to actually be upset about my neighbors moving out given that the extent of our conversations was just cordial. Even so, their presence is missed.

They have been next door to us for about three years. We get so used to familiarity and we don’t like when things change unexpectedly. I can only hope that we have another peaceful family that moves in next to us.

It’s still hard to look outside and see the for-sale sign hanging in the yard. I suppose it is because it’s another reminder that nothing in life is permanent. Enjoy every moment, for everything has its time and place.

The things that we see daily today will not always be there. This is a great reminder to practice gratitude and be thankful for everything, even the small things!