I shared a few weeks ago that this summer I have enjoyed growing vegetables in my two raised beds. I have also taken delight in developing a vibrant flower garden outside our sun room. This week as I was harvesting vegetables and flowers, I realized the containers I was using hold special memories for me. Today I am savoring these special memories.

Today’s picture shows a colorful bowl holding green peppers. That bowl belonged to my grandmother. I don’t remember what exactly she used the bowl for, but I do remember seeing it in her kitchen when I was a child. We affectionately called my grandmother, Mother. Mother was very dear to me. I remember a few summers, as a child, I was privileged enough to go spend a few days or week with her by myself. Mother taught me to drink coffee, to love reading, and to embrace showing love through cooking and caring for others. In the last couple years of her life we were blessed to have her move in and live with us.

The white dish holding tomatoes and the glass vase holding flowers were both wedding gifts. This past June, Clark and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary. I do not recall who gave us the dish or vase, but they remind me of the love we felt as we were surrounded and supported on our wedding day. It rained the morning of June 7, 1997. Thankfully, hours before our wedding, the rain ceased and the temperature fell. I recall it being one of the coldest days I have experienced in June, but in my mind it was also a beautiful, perfect day. 

I share this as a reflection on this week’s Thankful Thursday post. I shared with you a quote made by Tara Leigh-Cobble from the Bible Recap. She said, “Trusting God means we live in contentment now.” I encouraged you to be aware that even when we are in the valley, we should find peace and joy in the moments we walk through. Using items that trigger sweet memories is one way to find peace and joy in hard times. What items do you have that trigger memories that you savor? How can savoring memories help you in hard seasons?