Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, when someone says, "Remember when ..." that phrase stirs up all kinds of feelings of warmth and happiness; all five senses seem to partake in the memories. There's just something about recollecting the past that feels good. We each have a particular yearning to bring back moments in time, moments when life seemed simpler, like remembering that our Dad whistled or hummed while he worked. Reminiscing about Mom, we can almost smell the yeasty scent of homemade bread and hear her hum or sing. Close our eyes and we can still see the weathered lines on Auntie's face and know where she hid the box of storebought chocolate cookies (to be served to us later) when she knew her sister's four little bashful kiddies were coming in for a visit.

During the holiday season, especially Thanksgiving, we have some favorite recollections of Mom roasting a turkey for a noon meal at Auntie's house. Though the trip into town was many miles long, mostly on dirt roads, we could smell that turkey as we "flew" to town to Auntie's house for a glorious Thanksgiving dinner with one or two of her younger children still at home, and other relatives who lived nearly, as guests.

The table was extended to its limit seating at least a dozen family and friends. Who make or brought what for a bountiful feast is long forgotten.  We dived in and ate after a prayer of thanksgiving for the bounty of a harvest, "Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy." {Psalm 126:2}.

Time passes quickly - it's good to remember people and places that have helped shape who we are. Thank You, Lord, as we remember days of old and reflect on past generations, focusing on "whatever is admirable, excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." {Philippians 4:8}.

Love, Mara