Change Your Attitude, Change Your Outcome

Just Tell Yourself “I’m Making Memories”

by Christie Perkins

“We’re just making memories!”

It was something Grandma always said when plans fizzled, plopped, or dropped; when the days course when askew or blew.

2014 Fish Lake with Paxtons 198

She always said it at the right moment.  At the flicker of a face scrunching episode she would immediately interject the distractor phrase: “we’re just making memories.”  The squished face always detoured and softened to a half smile.

“So true.” It was impossible to disagree and a little chuckle changed my perspective.

And oh, the memories I’ve made: getting stuck in an elevator, breaking down on the freeway, discovering my child decided to go mud sloshing in new pants moment; tripping all over my piano piece then making a copycat trip down the stairs (in a skirt) at my child’s baptism.  (Apparently stairs and piano keys have the same affect on me.)

Memories.  Oh, I would definitely call it that.

But, you know- she’s right.  What memories we make.  Take all of those things out and I’m left with what?  Dishes, laundry, and a snore induced journal.

That’s so lame.

 

Making Memories

Grandma could turn any “situation” into a memory.  Take, for instant, my visit to the lake.  I learned that you must always take a swimsuit when you visit Grandma Hayes.  Always.

Maybe that’s a given but I was headed to a slimy fish lake.  With seaweed that eerily danced at the waters edge, the buzz of flies, and a random fish head rolling around, swimming never crossed my mind.  Why would it?

But despite the fact it was a fish lake associated with… smells, it was beautiful there.  Every year my Grandma and her sisters would camp with their trailers a short distance from her home.  It was a private lake.  Electric neon dragon flies always caught my eye.  My feet grasped the cool grassy area while dogs greeted me with sloppy lips and licks.  Everyone there was happy.

It was the closest to home I’ve ever felt being away from home…well, except for the swimming incident.

I was around 11 years old when Grandma asked the unspeakable: “Just put on a t-shirt and keep your undergarments on.”  The other cousins were at the lake already with their conveniently located swimsuits.

No way.

She read my expression.  “It’s a hot day.  It’ll feel so good!”  She raised her eyebrows and her eyes lit up.  She’s right, it was hot.  Not even a breeze.  Next thing I knew I was putting on an oversized bulky t-shirt.  I can’t believe I’m doing this!  But I did.

Grandma walked me down to the polar plunge drop off.  I swear she had a little of that “brother mentality.”  You know, where they know a secret of a moment but they wait to avoid ruining the reaction.  It’s always about the reaction with brothers.  I dipped my toe into the lake and in an instant my legs produce vanilla slush crystals. Grandma’s reaction stole my own.

“Oooohhh!” her eyes were wide and smiles were stamped all over her face.  She knew it was cold.  She added her characteristic giggle.  But still the lake drew me in, inch by tortured inch, until I plunged in.

I had a blast.  Grandma forced me into this memory making moment.  And I’m glad.  But I learned a very valuable thing that day…

Never, ever, ever, wear a white t-shirt to go swimming.

Thanks Grandma.  Thanks a lot.

And somewhere in the back of my memory I can hear the go-to phrase of this moment. It accompanies every misconstrued plan, “We’re just making memories!”

 

Sprinkle Your Life With More Memories

Several years ago, long before I had cancer, I woke up with the pressing need to make more memories.  I needed to make time to let go of the to-do list (and I do like the to-do list), to laugh more with the kids, family, and people, in general; play around with them more.  I shouldn’t just sit on the edge and let my eyes do all the work in their play but involve my head, hands, and feet.  I’m still not very good at it but I’m working towards being better.

Just create a simple memory once a day.  That’s it.  Make your personal mark in someone’s memory.  Then write about it in your celebrate the day journal.  If you don’t have one, start one.

Dip that toe in the lake… but, by all means wear a black t-shirt.

 

4 Simple Tips To Creating More Meaningful Memories

I love the quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured.”  Here’s a few tips to creating more meaningful memories:

Have Fun Together.  Find common ground and enjoy “your thing” together.  As a kid my dad and brothers worked on rockets and did rocket launches.  My mom and I shopped and talked.  Do whatever it is that you like to do.  Our family loves hiking, “midnight” bike rides (Eastern Standard Time), moonlight walks; star gazing.  What do you do?

Start a Weekly Tradition.  Do something, anything, together.  Keep it simple.  Hold a family game night, candle light dinner, read a story together, play dodgeball, watch home videos… or even better: create home videos, do a weekly cookie run.  Whatever you do, just have fun.

Tip: include food and your memory will be more vivid because you will be involving more senses.

Plan a Vacation.  I have lots of vacation memories as a kid.  We went every year.  Mostly we went camping but we sometimes visited new places.  Vacations don’t have to be extreme to be enjoyable but even switching it up slightly creates new memories.

Start a New Yearly Family Tradition.  We all have fun things we do.  Try throwing in something new this year.  Do a fun run, have a dance off, cut wood, instigate a car wash fundraiser and give the money to someone who needs it, create a family band and perform for someone, have a jello fight day, have a monopoly tournament from sun up to sun down.  Do whatever.

And when something in your memory making plan goes askew- you know what to do.  Slap on that smile and say, “Hey, look, we’re just making memories.”

Tell us about some of your favorite memory builders.  What do you do?  My readers and I would love to hear from you.  Take a minute and share your comment (don’t think it’s lame… it’s not) , then check back for some fantastic ideas from others.   Thanks a bunch!

 

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Hope you enjoyed reading. On some devices my share buttons are a little tricky to find.  To access, click on the comment bubble to load up my share buttons and scroll to the top of the page.  My share buttons are underneath my title.  Click and share!   And oh, have a fantastic day!

7 thoughts on “Change Your Attitude, Change Your Outcome

  1. “Just making memories”! I can SO hear Grandma saying this and that wonderful giggle! Oh how I miss that beautiful, wonderful giggle! Building memories and strengthening family relationships are vital in our efforts to enjoy the journey! Life is ment to be enjoyed not just endured! Great job Christie!

  2. Love your great ideas! This year for Christmas my kids got a year of experiences. Each month we are doing something new and fun. A stay-cation game day, family walk to the park ending with ice cream or a big camping trip. Making memories is our goal. We are taking lots and lots of pictures and for Christmas next year under the tree will be our book of memories! It’s more about memories than stuff. Love your posts! When I grow up I want to be more like you!

  3. Dear Little Christie,
    Just wanted you to know how much of a haven your grandma’s home was for me. I have so many good memories of playing in that house. Some of my fondest memories come from Aunt Dee’s. I can remember building a blanket fort with Mike outside. We had to have used every blanket and sheet in the house! Aunt Dee was gone when we built it, but I vividly remember her reaction when she got home. (I personally would have probably freaked out!) She shook her head, giggled, and joined the three of us inside the tent. It had more holes than coverage, but she let us keep it up and we even slept outside in it! She stayed with us for awhile and pointed out stars through the hole in the roof. We laughed, and woke up eaten alive by the skeeters, but it was such a great night. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful memory with us and keep up the good work. Your ma has a great laugh as well! God Bless!

    Uncle Carv

    • Hahaha! Bet those skeeters had a hey-day! She loved you as much as her own. Grandma was so good at joining the fun. She was way better about going with the flow than I’ve ever been.

  4. Another winner Christie! It is so wonderful to have good memories with those we love. I will always treasure our family trip together to San Diego. I’m so glad we said YES! We have droves of memories we have made with you and they are beautiful ones. Thanks for those shared times. We love you now and forever!
    Terry

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