by Heather Sherrill
published in The Senior Years (Dec 2015)

Do you remember raking up the colorful fallen leaves into a big pile and jumping into them and laughing as a playful child? Or remember being all bundled up and lying in the snow to make snow angels or having snowball fights? Or remember sipping hot cocoa around a warm crackling fire while the smell of cookies baking in the oven filled the air?

As the end of the year nears, our already hectic busy lives become more chaotic and overbooked. Life starts to feel like a juggling act as we juggle the demands of family, friends, work, year-end deadlines, and, of course, the holiday season. We lose sight of what these next few months are really all about when we get wrapped up in the to-do lists, the social commitments, and the material world. We take our full lives for granted and forget how precious life is. This is the season to spend time with those we love, to have fun and laugh together, to celebrate the gift of life while we make memories!

Imagine you are pressing a rewind button to reflect on the years past to recall one of your most memorable childhood moments. What is that special memory that always seems to put a smile on your face and a warm fuzzy feeling in your belly? This fond memory is most likely an interaction with others dear to you. It is probably not a gift stuffed away in the closet or just sitting on the shelf.

Your presence is what creates memories. I invite you to set an intention for the next few months to create memorable experiences for yourself and for all of those close to you. You can create memories that will last a life time!

Here are a few ideas to encourage lasting heartfelt memories for you and those dear to you:

• Don’t sweat the small stuff
• Don’t overcommit yourself
• Rewrite recipes to cook healthier meals
• Give to a charity that helps others in need
• Recycle by wrapping gifts with newspaper
• Create and establish new family traditions
• Bless your food before every meal
• Volunteer to serve warm meals to others
• Mindfully eat, don’t just eat to eat
• Do those things that brought you joy as a child
• Take a few minutes every day to be grateful for all that you have

As you recall memories and make time to bring meaning into the holiday season, the holidays will become more special. You will find that you are able to enjoy the holidays and bring joy into the lives of others by taking the time required to make each moment special.

While the seasons change and the temperatures fall, ask yourself what you will do to create lasting memories as you wrap up 2015. As you create special moments, you will look back five years from now and remember the happy moments of this season as fondly as those from your childhood. You’ll be able to reminiscence about this season, and it will not just be an empty space in your timeline.

So start baking, making snow angels, and jumping in the leaves. Make this season a time of positive reflection of your authentic true presence not the presents!