A Mixture of Emotions

I have found myself today in a place of laughter, tears, sadness, and joy all brought on by the memories that pictures bring. Our oldest son has asked us to gather pictures of him through the years to do a little slide show for their upcoming wedding. I decided to start gathering pictures today. Wow ~ we have a lot of pictures. Many before the digital phenomenon took place. So, I have been going through stack after stack of pictures. A lady whose son had wed told me not too long ago (when she found out our son would be marrying this year) not to start looking at all the old pictures because it would just make me sad. She was right to an extent. I did find myself feeling sad at moments but also laughing. It just depended on what pictures I came across. So many memories. Some of people who have passed on, of births, of weddings, of birthdays, of graduations, of friends, and everyday life. Today it does seem that time has flown by. Our youngest son is eighteen. For Mother's Day our middle son made me a collage of pictures of him and his brothers over the years for my computer screen.  I see it every time I use the computer. It is a precious gift to me. So much better that anything they could give me to sit around. It also draws mixed emotions out of me. I can't help but smile every time I look at the collage. They have grown up and I am happy to see them moving in new directions and making their way in life ~ but there is a twinge of sadness around the edge of my heart that squeezes.  I hope that I will have many new memories to add in the future ~ but I am sure that when I look back they will bring mixed emotions ~ for it is the way of life. Even so, I want to live it to the fullest claiming all that God has in store for me for His glory. Go make those memories!