Memories

This picture hung in our family room in the home I grew up in. I looked at it every day (it was above the big Zenith TV), but never really noticed it. Last year at a family party, one of Luke's cousins had the very same picture hanging above her mantle. It flooded me with memories of my sisters, my grandparents, the set of World Book Encyclopedias that were on the bookshelf by the window. I could smell my old house. I could feel the brown carpet under my feet. I closed my eyes and I could see every detail of that room. There are so many memories of that house, of that time in my life. When we all lived under the same roof and got to see each other every single day. We ate Sunday dinner together and laughed and loved and fought and cried. We opened Christmas presents and played Tetris in that room. I remember playing poker for Max Factor make-up with my sisters. So many memories! I was lucky to have two incredible parents and three amazing sisters. Especially at this time of the year, I am reminded of how thankful I am for them. And more than any other season, I miss them. I sometimes wish I could have just one day to go back and take it all in.