An Irreplaceable Gift

Over time things will wear, fade and change; but, they will continue to exist whether physical, in pictures, or in your memories.  Christmas of 2003 I was given a special gift that was a grey stuffed cat.  Opening the box from my Grandma was amazing.  I had such a big thrill tearing through the wrapping paper to discover the new treasure hiding inside.  At first glimpse, I just saw a grey stuffed cat, with three stripes on the head, and white paws.  Looking more closely however, I could see the plush, beautifully light grey colored cat who had tiny delicate curls throughout the body and the dark grey stripes so carefully placed directly over the eyes.  The plush fabric was delicate and soft to touch and the size was so astonishing for my small frame.  Twelve years later, the white paws have started to darken and the three dark grey stripes have almost vanished completely.  To any other person they may see an old stuffed worn toy animal, I see so much more.  It reminds me of so many memories of playing with my toy cat with friends, my two brothers and especially of my Grandma. 

Remembering the cat not only brings back so many special memories from my childhood; but, also makes me realize how much I have grown and matured.  If I currently opened a present that was a stuffed cat, I would be disappointed and extremely disillusioned.  Who wants another old stuffed animal when you could receive a new iPhone or car?  As a child, every gift seemed so amazing and exciting even if it was only a small stuffed animal.  It has created the realization that you should appreciate everything in life, even if it is only a small stuffed toy for the possibilities are limitless.  That particular toy is a very special reminder of my Grandma, who lived with our family, and the many memories we were able to create together.  It makes me realize that not every gift received has to be as amazing as a new iPhone because the smaller things are often what mean the most.  These gifts that are given with thought and love symbolize so much more than the expensive and popular ones.   As you get older, especially in your teenage years, the trade off is that everything needs to be bigger and better.  Sometimes we just need to slow down and enjoy life and appreciate every little moment as what was consistently expressed to me by my Grandma.

Roses

Humans are like roses, during our life we bud, blossom, and grow.  We also have rough times during our life like the thorns of a rose bush.  Roses start out their life as small seeds which grow and develop into a plant, while humans start as a fetus and grown and mature into an infant.  Throughout life both roses and humans continue to grow.  First the bud will form and bloom into a rose and a baby will grow to a teenager then an adult.


Both roses and  human also experience rough periods of life.  Just like with roses thorns can  injure you or others.  Humans go through difficult times in life where they fall yet rise again, but have scars from the experience.  Humans can tease or bully others which can scar them internally.  Roses have thorns which can draw blood and injure people.

What people don't see is that a rose is so much more than just a flower.  It represents a life that blooms in the Spring and lives through the Summer.  When fall comes back around it struggles for life, although it is sad we can always remember it will return again next Spring.

Roses like humans not only represent a life, eventually it is life that was taken, a life that once was, and a life that will always be. 

Introduction

Every summer since I was born, my family and I vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  My brothers and I swim in the ocean together and play games all day on the beach.  Every night after dinner we sit at the table and play card and board games.  Although my brothers can be very annoying most of the time, the memories we make during these summer vacations are precious.  During the school year my family is too busy to spend time together playing simple games because of our sports and activities, so this time we are able to spend together is cherished.  After this summer I started to realize my time with my family is becoming limited.  I will eventually go to college and start a life on my own away from them.  In the back of my mind, I will always remember these times at the beach, and I know unlike time, the memories we create together are everlasting.

This blog will encourage you to cherish moments in the present and to remember you will always have memories to reflect on.  It will remind you that while time is always running and you move on to new things in your life, memories are everlasting.