13 Aug Letting Go of the Past by Carol Storey
Well, I don’t know about you, but giving up some of the material things from my life is hard. I look at them and I either have a good memory or have mixed emotions about what I remember. But, what about those around me? Have I ever considered what those things represent to them? Have I ever considered how those things are holding me back and holding others in captivity?
There was seldom laughter and joy in our households in my past. The picture I have here was a fun time shared with my husband celebrating my Birthday. We took a trip to Boaz, Alabama to go to the Outlet Malls shopping. We stopped at Anniston, Alabama on our way at an Art Store. There were so many pictures by the artist it was hard to decide which one to take home. But, there was one that stood out above the rest …… and yes, it went home with us.
What was so different about this particular picture? They were all pencil drawings that we were looking at. They all were very detailed in design and they all had a theme for the picture. They all had about the same pricing. So, what was so different about this picture?
This one picture told a story of my childhood with my Papa and Mammie. They had an old house with open fireplaces and straight chairs where we sat around the fire. It was warm and cozy there and the best place in the house. My Papa would rise before everyone else and start a fire with ‘fat lighting’ they called it. (We didn’t have firestarters back then – which was probably a good thing..but that’s another story for another time) His day started before daylight and he worked in the field all day. He wore a hat and was thin, so this man in the picture reminds me a lot about my childhood and the Papa I adored.
But, as life went on the picture became a pawn in our life. We got a divorce and the picture was to come to me, but he held it in ‘ramson’. He said he was not giving up the picture unless he could have the kids (who were 15 and 17 at the time. So they could choose for themselves) They were going with me. He died years later and I got the picture.
As the years went by, I still looked at the picture in remembrance of my life on the farm with my grandparents. But our daughter, who was standing next to me when he made this proclamation, has a less favorable memory of this picture. Sometimes it has to hit you in the face to realize the pain others must feel when they see things that were extremely painful in their past. Yesterday was one of those days. I’ve moved into a new residence and my daughter saw the picture on the floor and said, “You just can’t let go of it can you? I’m telling you when you die this picture WILL be BURNED!” WOW!!! Talk about hitting you in the face. So today, I let it go and moved it out of my life and theirs. I’ll let someone else make a new memory with it and I’ll claim freedom for myself and my girls.
I was reminded of a Bible story about Sodom and Gomorrah, when God was going to destroy the cities for their unfaithfulness and sins. Abraham asked God if there were any righteous men and families in the city would he destroy the entire city? God replied, “If he could find even 5 who were righteous he would not destroy the city.” Abraham knew that Lot and his family resided in that city and wanted protection for them. So God told Abraham to get them out of the city and NOT LOOK BACK or they would surely die. Abraham got word to them and as they were fleeing the city, Lot’s wife looked back and was instantly turned into salt and died.
How often do we look back thinking that we are leaving the best? Or we want to see what is happening because we can hear loud chatter or noises? I am so sorry that it took me so long to realize my daughter’s pain as she looks upon that picture. I am so sorry I couldn’t let go of the past and move forward looking for a brighter future. Old things pass away and new things fill those spaces.
What is in your life that you need to reevaluate just how important it is today and how it will influence your future? What are you relaying to those around you that you can be brave and move on into the future? Looking back to the past only makes us sad for the things and people lost in our journey of life. I encourage you to take a note of what is important and what is a hindrance to your future. I encourage you to Boldly step out and look ahead no matter where you are in life and where you think you are headed. Take the challenge today!!! Hugs Carol
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