Memories…
This week I’m going through some of my travel journals. I finally have the time for such things. It’s been so much fun. I’m grateful that I took detailed notes because now as I read the day-to-day itineraries I’m reliving those precious weeks on the Rhine, in Viareggio, Italy with my sister and family, in Ireland and England and Canada and Mexico and more.
I knew there would come a day when I would treasure these pages!
My husband Charles was a part of all these travels and as I read the things we did together–dancing onboard the Viking Sun, climbing a hundred steps to the top of a fort, standing in front of Buckingham Palace and touring the home of C.S. Lewis, as well as finding Charles’s ancestral home in Switzerland, I am awash in smiles and tears.
Huffing and puffing 100 steps to the top of this fort–but we made it!
In front of Buckingham Palace.
Charles in front of a photo of Charles Fort Historical Monument near the entrance.
In front of the home of C.S. Lewis.
If nothing else, I am reminded of the swift passage of time and how precious is each moment. Charles is gone now and my overseas travel days are over (stateside only from now on) so the reality of my life and experience are front and center in my mind. May I live each day for what it is–a gift from God.
How about you? Do you have some special memories of moments in your life that you’d like to share with us?
Oh, Karen, how I love seeing you and Charles traveling! I remember when you went to Ireland…The smiles and times you’ve shared are treasured, I’m sure. So lovely to see these. love, Heidi
Thanks, Heidi. Such great memories to enjoy now that Charles is gone and I am alone.
You are blessed that you made all those journals.
Most of the notes of my travels are in the decades of
“ little black books” and 35mm slides my husband took.
There are thousands of slides !!! Mostly in this country , but some of our
One trip to Europe . Makes me think of the quote from “ Our Town”. “Does anyone ever realize life while the live it “. I am blessed with many lovely memories .
Thanks, Etta Mae. A great quote from ‘Our Town.’ One to ponder and take note of.
Oh Mom! These photos!! I’m so glad you got to travel together and that you took advantage of the chance to travel when you could. Journals are wonderful to reread. Glad you have them now. ❤️❤️
Thanks, Julie. I’m happy to read your comment and join in my memories of all these marvelous travel times, especially now when we can’t go anywhere!! ❤️
Karen, it’s such fun to see these photos and to be reminded of what a great pair you and Charles made as you went places together. I felt privileged to intersect with the two of you from time to time, especially at author events!!! God bless you, dear one…
Carolyn Curtis, whose latest book is “Women and C.S. Lewis: What his life and literature reveal for today’s culture.”
Hi Carolyn. Thanks for adding a comment and what a lovely one about Charles and me. I hope you are well and safe.
Karen, I know you must truly cherish these memories and are glad you recorded them, especially since your husband has passed.
This sweet post reminded me of a line from the movie “An Affair to Remember”(with Cary Grant). I think it goes like this:
“Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories.
We’ve already missed the Spring.”
That line has always encouraged us to make memories now to remember later. And, we just made another fun memory last night.
My husband bought us roller skates for my 55th birthday (this month) and we gave them a try around the concrete floor of the 1897 general store building we bought last May. It was super fun and reminded me of when he rented a whole skating rink, just for us, when we were dating. That was such a fun, cherished memory and now I have a new one to go with it!
(Of course, this time I had to buy, knee, elbow and wrists pads. And, after last night…a helmet is coming! Lol.)
Thanks for reminding us to cherish our sweet men and moments.
Smiles, BRC
Beth, this is a GREAT personal story. I’m smiling as I read it. The age of 55 sounds so young now but it’s not long till another decade or two passes. Glad you are skating your way through the years with your sweet husband.
Thanks Karen. You are a great inspiration!
Smiles, BRC
What precious memories Karen. I love seeing these photos of you and Charles as you traveled together, and remember hearing especially about your Ireland trip and finding Charles’ roots. Those copios notes you took now help you remember, in detail, the dances under the stars, the exploration, the foods, all that you enjoyed with Charles.
We too have great memories of traveling – Canada, the Mediterranean, Malta and Italy, the Amalfi Coast – and the lovely people we’ve traveled with and met along the way. These memories are a wonderful gift. Thanks for sharing yours.
Thank you, Carol. Now when travel is limited by the virus, these memories you and I have with our spouses are even more precious. I hope you are safe and well and holding tight to each other.
I love all the photos of you and Charles. I certainly can relate to this one. I was fortunate to go to London and see some wonderful sights. I was with a group from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. and the President of the seminary was a friend of a man in the house of Parliment who gave the seven of us a private tour, including taking us to a beautiful chapel where the babies of the Royal Families were christined. Saw several shows, including “Jesus Christ, Super Star”, by Andrew Lloyd Weber and had tea and crumpets in the basement of the large Westminister Church ( not Westminister Abbey but we went there also) with A.L.W. father who was the master organist of London.>the most wonderful time came when my second husband and I spent two weeks in Hawaii on our honeymoon!Enough about my blessings in travels! I am so thankful you and I both have wonderful photos and “journals” that gives us the details to enjoy reading over and over again. Thanks Karen. Take more time to really enjoy and be thankful for the wonderful memories. I am thankful too. Margaret
Margaret, thanks for sharing your beautiful memories of your travel days. You have a wealth of experiences to share with us each week and we all love you. What a rich and full life you have lived. I’m praising God with you.
Really lovely photo memories of you and dear Charles. Happy that you are a writer and have taken notes and written diaries all along. Wonderful to peruse them now and savor all those very special times. Enjoy! What a wonderful full life with fabulous adventures you have been blessed with. Let’s make more!! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with all of us. You are indeed loved ❤️.
Thank you, Kathleen. Many of my travel memories include you, as you know. Whenever I think of the Sierra Mountains my thoughts turn to you and our many awesome camping and hiking trips. I’m so grateful for your friendship and support and for the fabulous times we’ve enjoyed together.
Awww, love this post. Karen, for what it’s worth, I have saved my parents travel journals. I take them out and re-read them, and remember the stories they told. It makes my heart happy. I’m glad you are enjoying your journals again. FYI, what fun to see pics of you and Charles!
Thanks for your comment, Patti. Good to hear from you. How nice it must be to go through your parents’ albums and remember happy times.I’m grateful for the photos. They help keep Charles alive for me.
So special to see Charles and your special travels. He was a fabulous guy. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Kathy. Yes, Charles was a special guy and I’m grateful for all the good memories we made together.