Cherish
When I was growing up, my grandparents on my dad’s side lived about six hours away. We visited them about three to four times a year. My parents couldn’t afford to take much time off work so we would leave after they finished for the day, usually around 6 pm. We would arrive after midnight. My sister and I would inevitably fall asleep on those long drives. But my parents would always make sure we were awake to see the polka-dotted house in Buna. This house was a favorite sight of ours and delighted two giggling, sleepy-eyed girls to no end. It was a white house with blue dots as big as plates placed at random. We thought it was silly and wonderful all at the same time.
Many years later, one Christmas, I opened a gift from my dad and immediately began to cry. He had made a digital drawing of the polka-dotted house and framed it. He made my sister one as well. The fact that he remembered how much I enjoyed seeing that house as a child and decided to make a piece of art of it touched me deeply. It’s one of the best gifts I have ever received and I cherish it so.
The things I truly cherish are not to be bought. It’s spending time with the people I love, making memories, going on adventures, tasting delicious food, and enjoying time alone. That drawing my dad gave me didn’t cost him much money, maybe $5 including the frame. But that’s not what matters. The fact that he took the time to make something that reminded me of my childhood, something he knew would bring back happy memories, something that I enjoyed, is the best thing he could have given me. And that is why it is such a cherished thing.
This blog post was based on the word Cherish. Some of my fellow hope*writer also wrote on the theme Cherish. Please click on the links below to reach their blogs.
Cherish and Encourage One Another by Lisa Granger
https://lisamarcelina.net/cherish-and-encourage-one-another/
Cherish by Amy Cobb
https://www.tayloredintent.com/blog/cherish
What does it mean to be cherished? by Sharla Hallett
www.sharlahallett.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-cherished/
Cherish the Next Smallest Thing by Dianne Vielhuber
https://simplewordsoffaith.com/2022/02/01/cherish-the-next-smallest-thing/