Mom Heart Moments #265

It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today; a father tells his sons about Your faithfulness.

WHEN EACH CHILD WAS OLD ENOUGH to be able to understand the meaning of their own history, I had them create their own memory box. We bought simple, lidded cardboard boxes at an office-supply store. They painted whatever they wanted to mark their box, and we named them after each child —for instance, “The Wonderful History of Sarah.”

Into this box went things to help them remember who they are, what they stand for, and how special their lives have been.

• Birthday and Christmas cards from all the family who love them
• “I love you” or “I appreciate you” notes I had hidden under their pillows or placed on bathroom mirrors over the years
• Awards and prizes —Awana certificates, piano recital awards, group pictures of dramas participated in, sports, summer programs, history group, etc.
• Birth certificates, baby footprints, baby pictures, and any memorabilia that was important to them
• Samples of their writing, poems they had written, pictures they had drawn when they were little that were very special

We stored these memory boxes in their closets. On sick days or down days or snowy days, I would take down the box and let them put it on their bed. Each child loved having a box of memories about themselves —what love had gone into their souls, what our family stood for, how they were prayed into the world. It seemed to give them a deep sense of self-worth and a history stored in their souls.

Our children have roots, love, and a heritage, and know they will always have a place to belong, where they are safe and will be loved. The memory boxes are just one small way we documented that love and history.

In what way do you keep memories for your children so they are reminded of who they are? If you haven’t already, perhaps start a similar memory-box tradition in your own home!