At the beginning of the summer our family went camping. It was really more like glamping as we stayed in a cabin BUT it was at a state park and they had very little reception. This is actually perfect except that I didn’t have access to my tunes. I love my tunes! I had the idea to buy a cheap CD player and bring some of my old CD’s on the trip to listen to. I was a little surprised they still sold them!
I packed up my old Case Logic CD holder and my new boombox and headed for the woods. I was looking for some music to listen to while I unpacked when we arrived. I hadn’t looked at my CD’s for a very long time, probably years. As I flipped through the pages, I noticed one scribbled with “Nov 03.” It was like finding a little treasure. What exactly was on this old mix CD I had made in November 2003?
The sound of the CD loading was like an old friend. “20” popped up on the little screen and I wondered what was in store for me. I hit play and got to work while enjoying the ride down memory lane. Many of the songs are still favorites, others I had forgotten about completely. Little gems hidden in an old Case Logic case to be found again. Picked one by one, and put in order by my much younger self on an enormous desktop computer. Ha!
November 2003 was almost 20 years ago. That is a long time my friends. Drew was just five months old and I was only 27. It was almost like going back in time to catch a glimpse of my younger self. A Lottie who had no idea ten more children were coming in the next 20 years. So many joyful moments with Tate and my children awaited me. A younger, more naive Lottie who had yet to experience some of the pain and struggle of the years ahead. A Lottie whose hair still looked red and didn’t have a bit of gray.
This CD got me thinking about my life then, now and in the future. What will it be like in 20 years to look back on my life now? Will I have many grandchildren? Will I even still be on this earth? With each passing year I wonder how time seems to speed up. Just yesterday it seems I had little ones all around me. Now it seems another is taller than me each day! (I know I am short!) To remain in the place of remembrance and thinking of what lays ahead for too long is dangerous. It is, however, worth the reminder to live each day well, giving honor and glory to God. To ask forgiveness, accept apologies, pause to appreciate God’s creation, laugh with those we love.
The older I get, the more I realize just how hard life is. I come to see through my experiences and those close to me, suffering is a normal part of life. Small sufferings and crushing sufferings that can only be endured by the grace of God. I also see the importance of faithful family and friends to walk the journey with us to the end. People that encourage me to get back up, fix my eyes more firmly on God, and fight the good fight.
I can’t know what 20 years ahead holds for me. I can focus my attention on how to live this day to its fullest, loving God and all those I come in contact with. This includes both family, friends, and strangers. I pray that when my day comes and I go to my Maker, I can say I endeavored to love as He first loved me. Jesus, thank you for the gift of this day. Let me begin. JMJ
P.S. Nov 03 may be worth mass production. Classic.
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