Memory Lane
Taking a memorable stroll . . .
Last week while visiting my son in Southern California he and I took a little jaunt down memory lane in Calabasas, California where my first husband and I raised our three kids–at least part-way to adulthood before divorce hit hard. I thought it would be difficult to return to this beautiful community. I feared bittersweet memories might overwhelm me and I worried I’d start replaying the should-a, could-a, would-a tape in my mind. But that didn’t happen. I simply enjoyed the lovely surroundings and focused on the many gifts my life there had given me–gifts that still bless me some forty years later.
Beautiful Calabasas Lake
Would I change the past if I could–somehow? NO! I’m surprised at how emphatically I feel about it. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the trajectory of my life from the day I was born until this very day. I haven’t liked all that occurred but I haven’t despised it either. I see the growth in myself and others along the way, including my children.
The Lord says, “I have come to give you life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10). I believe and trust this word of God. I accept the joys and sadness, the highs and lows, the births and deaths, and the experiences I don’t understand, because all of them have come to good and for God’s glory.
Garrison Keillor
How right you are Karen about all that has happened to us in the past has brought us right here and now! I too am so grateful for all those happenings, though some were extremely difficult. Our faith has made us whole and our trust allows us to live in the moment knowing that we are cared for and guided each step of the way as long as we listen to that sweet inner guidance that comes when we are quiet and surrendered into His presence. What a brave and wonderful journey you had with your son recently. Well done. Beautiful lake and area.
Thank you, Kathleen. I love your wording, ‘sweet inner guidance.’ YES, listening to it and following it leads to a life of peace and contentment despite the challenges.
Karen what a gift God has given you to be able to write about anything and everything and be able to say it so well. It is not always easy to express one’s thoughts but you do such an excellent job. Keep up your great writing✍🏻✍🏻
Thank you, Mary. It’s always a treat to hear from you. I appreciate your support so much.
I wish your blog had a Like button because I always like your posts, even though I rarely comment on them.
I agree! Where are the icons?!!!
Thanks, Janet. I do have buttons for FB and Twitter following each blog so you can click those if you wish. I really appreciate all of your prayers and encouragement.
Ah, yes! I remember those days from my life also. I too was divorced after 27 years of marriage. I had never had a “job” outside of our home and that was fine with me as I really did enjoy keeping a clean and well organized house and being at home with the two children.I still consider that a real blessing! I realize more and more when reading my Journals, which were more like pouring my heart out to God telling Him how I felt, as if He did not already know, and have realized how much I have grown and how many things I have learned to do since the divorce. Actually it was a real blessing even tho it hurt like nothing I can describe. I never would have thought I could accomplish as many things as I have. My second husband thought I could do ‘anything’ and HE is the one who motivated me! I was doubly blessed! I am grateful my first husband and I were on good terms when he died March 6, 1987.> Karen, I feel the urge to add something I had written on a scrap of paper and found in one of my Journals. He had moved out of the house on March 6th and it just seemed strange that he died on the same month and day and I guess it sort of ‘hit me’. I wrote “it was like two deaths. Sometimes we feel guilty when we think of bad things about someone who has died but this would not change the facts and sometimes the things we feel are warranted. When a person dies he is not the person we knew him to be but he becomes the person God knows him to be.”
I hope I can be the person God wants me to be but because I am ‘human’ I know I fall far short but I also know that God loves me anyway and will forgive me if I ask Him too. (pardon the “sermon”! smile)
Thanks for a beautiful blog!! Margaret
Thank you, Margaret. I appreciated reading your remembrance of the pain you felt after your divorce but how you and your husband were then able to become friends before he died. I believe that is true for me too. It is a blessing to see all the good that can come from something so painful.
QQPS! I left out the most important part regarding “memory lane”. Our son worked with his Dad and we did get to be friends again. He, our son and I enjoyed ‘going down memory lanes’ and talked a lot about our good days together, so that was a blessing!
Love to you. margaret
(guess I was sleeping as I wrote before)
Thanks for adding this sweet P.S.
Great lesson, Karen. You continue to be an inspiration to me in your writings, but especially how you live your life. I love you. Heidi
Heidi, thank you for being such a support to me. I love you too and admire your walk with God.
Isn’t it wonderful to be at that time in life when reflection can be a blessing. When we look back with a spiritual perspective we can see God’s hand along the way. From the “human” perspective there are often many “what if’s”. Thank you Lord for your unfailing love.
Such a lovely reminder of this truth. Thank you Karen. 🙂
Thank you, Etta Mae. Yes, I agree that living long enough to see all of our experiences work together for good, is indeed a privilege and a blessing.
Some of you asked where my FB and Twitter icons are. At the bottom of each of my blog entries just above the word COMMENTS there is a little box that lets you click to share on a variety of social media.
Patti, I apologize for missing your comment the first time around. I was reading too fast, I guess. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Beautiful picture of the lake, Karen. I’m glad you were able to return to your old haunts and feel only thankfulness for God’s faithfulness throughout your life. I’m so grateful He wastes nothing, and that He brings beauty for ashes. Thanks for sharing this wonderful journey down memory lane.
Thank you, Carol, for sharing my memory.