If my life were a movie, the main story would be surrounding my love story with Jesus. Cheesy, but true. Our relationships has had its ups and down, as any relationship does. I’ve had doubts, I’ve been stagnant and apathetic, but His love has never changed. I have grown. Honestly, if my life were a movie, I might actually want to watch it. It seems to unfold the way many movies do. Introduction of self, conflicts (many), exposition of my life [rising action], climax, falling action, and eventually my resolution will be complete when I meet Jesus face to face. If I could take out the less exciting parts of my every day life and put the cool parts on a silver screen, it would actually be pretty interesting.
A single provoking/meaningful/memorable moment happened this summer... I went with my [now ex-] boyfriend to visit his grandfather in a nursing home. There wasn’t a lot of conversation going on in his grandpa’s room, just casual small talk; however, I will never forget the weight of the room I felt with my hand in one of Andrew’s, and his grandpa’s in the other. Andrew and his grandpa had been very close. He taught Andrew how to fish, as he had once been a national champion himself. Andrew had always admired him, but he now talks of him as if he has already passed on. When we went to see him, I saw firsthand what Andrew had been telling me about. His grandpa has what they believe to be early dementia or Alzheimer’s. Whatever the case, his grandpa can no longer function on his own. He can hardly form audible words. As I sat in the chair next to his bed, I knew I was meeting him for the first, and possibly last time, as well as being Andrew’s support as he watched his grandpa wither away. I cried several times throughout our hour-long visit, feeling the family’s pain. I watched as Andrew’s grandma cleaned out his grandpa’s mouth, walking back and forth between the restroom at least six times. Seeing the love she still obviously had for him is maybe the most inspiring, loving example of a relationship I have ever seen in real life. At one point, she sat at the end of his bed and started crying. She cried about how she hated to leave him... Not about the cards they had been dealt, or the way she had to serve him constantly. No, she cried about the fact that she was only allowed to visit from 7am to 7pm. She was only able to be at his side for twelve hours a day, and it was breaking her heart. As she excused herself to get a tissue, Andrew squeezed my hand and we looked at each other, teary-eyed. That day was one of the most difficult situations I have ever been in. Although Andrew and I’s relationship has recently fizzled out, I will never forget that day we shared with his sweet grandparents. I got to be his support system in a moment of vulnerability, rarely given freely by a guy like him. I also got to see the effects of the life-long, unfailing love shared by his grandparents.
Memories are made with uniqueness. Something has to really stand out to be something a person will go back and reflect on. Many memories are full of tenderness and vulnerability because most people have walls built up most of the time. Any time walls come down, others remember. Any time something significant and new comes into a person’s life, it is usually memorable; whether a first time experience or a new friendship... Things unusual to daily routines are worthy of remembering.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you realize when memories are being made that will last a lifetime AS they are being made?
2. What is the difference between remembering something and having a memory?
A single provoking/meaningful/memorable moment happened this summer... I went with my [now ex-] boyfriend to visit his grandfather in a nursing home. There wasn’t a lot of conversation going on in his grandpa’s room, just casual small talk; however, I will never forget the weight of the room I felt with my hand in one of Andrew’s, and his grandpa’s in the other. Andrew and his grandpa had been very close. He taught Andrew how to fish, as he had once been a national champion himself. Andrew had always admired him, but he now talks of him as if he has already passed on. When we went to see him, I saw firsthand what Andrew had been telling me about. His grandpa has what they believe to be early dementia or Alzheimer’s. Whatever the case, his grandpa can no longer function on his own. He can hardly form audible words. As I sat in the chair next to his bed, I knew I was meeting him for the first, and possibly last time, as well as being Andrew’s support as he watched his grandpa wither away. I cried several times throughout our hour-long visit, feeling the family’s pain. I watched as Andrew’s grandma cleaned out his grandpa’s mouth, walking back and forth between the restroom at least six times. Seeing the love she still obviously had for him is maybe the most inspiring, loving example of a relationship I have ever seen in real life. At one point, she sat at the end of his bed and started crying. She cried about how she hated to leave him... Not about the cards they had been dealt, or the way she had to serve him constantly. No, she cried about the fact that she was only allowed to visit from 7am to 7pm. She was only able to be at his side for twelve hours a day, and it was breaking her heart. As she excused herself to get a tissue, Andrew squeezed my hand and we looked at each other, teary-eyed. That day was one of the most difficult situations I have ever been in. Although Andrew and I’s relationship has recently fizzled out, I will never forget that day we shared with his sweet grandparents. I got to be his support system in a moment of vulnerability, rarely given freely by a guy like him. I also got to see the effects of the life-long, unfailing love shared by his grandparents.
Memories are made with uniqueness. Something has to really stand out to be something a person will go back and reflect on. Many memories are full of tenderness and vulnerability because most people have walls built up most of the time. Any time walls come down, others remember. Any time something significant and new comes into a person’s life, it is usually memorable; whether a first time experience or a new friendship... Things unusual to daily routines are worthy of remembering.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you realize when memories are being made that will last a lifetime AS they are being made?
2. What is the difference between remembering something and having a memory?
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