Family Ties That Last: Building New Memories at the Purple Door House

I’ve been thinking a lot about my goals for the Purple Door house, our family’s home away from home. Throughout the renovation process, I am making decisions that I hope will help build a space that brings us closer as a family, and helps build lasting family ties.

I want our quaint little country home to be a place we all feel safe and secure, a place we can retreat to as a family. My hope is that we’ll build lasting memories that our family will cherish forever.

Making New Memories

Tonight is the first night the entire family will be spending the night at the Purple Door. If you aren’t familiar with the Purple Door, it’s a little place that is located on the piece of property we purchased after selling our land with the log cabin. We’ve been renovating it for a few months and I’ve been doing videos of the progress on my Facebook Page. Catch up HERE.

While I think about the memories we’ll make there, I’m thinking about memories and the passage of time in general.

The Kids Are Growing Up Too Fast!

As I’ve grown older, I have noticed that I am not big on change, especially the change that happens to growing children what seems like overnight. I have always wanted them to stay the same age they are. I know — it’s sappy, ridiculous. After the kids are asleep, I sneak in and just stare at them.

Children are truly a miracle, and my heart is so full sometimes I think I’ll explode! I say to myself every night, “Don’t forget this.” You know, there are times that everything seems so perfect when all the kids are together, laughing or even debating, that I say the same thing: “Don’t forget this.” 

Stacy Lyn with daughter and husband. Stacy alsways savors her moments with her family and children
An old memory of Scott, Milly and I. I take pictures so I can always cherish these moments!

Preserving the Memories

I take myriads of photos, shoot videos, and write in journals, but the memories fade. I look at the photos, but it’s just not the same as experiencing that time. Sometimes, I don’t even remember when the picture was taken. And that’s even after reminding myself in the moment not to forget this time.

As a result of this sense of fading memory, I don’t even really want to look at old pictures because they make me sad. Am I alone in this? 

I Know. Kids Should Grow Up!

I know, I know. I have done what I am supposed to have done, and am still doing what I am supposed to be doing. Really, I do want the kids to grow up to fulfill their purposes, which means leaving home one day to pursue what God has put in their hearts to pursue. 

They are meant to grow up, spread the gospel, share the gifts that God has given them, be creative, invent, help the world—this is what we have taught them to do. 

The Feelings Matter More Than the Details

As I look back and see that I can barely remember some of the most amazing times, it came to me memories aren’t about the place, or what gifts you give or get on a particular birthday. Memories are about the feeling you had when you were at that place, the relationships that grow because of a thoughtful gift.

Ultimately remembering is about the people you are with.  

I am thrilled that my grown children love to come home and be with us. I am going to soak this up for as long as I can. I’ll concentrate on making new memories and teach them to make memories with their kids. The memories I want in my kids’ minds and someday their kid’s minds are those of me loving them. 

My Wish for You and Your Family

I want to encourage you to enjoy every minute in your life. You are creating the memories in the hearts of those around you by the laughter and joy you bring to others. The details don’t matter as much as the way you help make your family feel about themselves and the world around you. Probably they won’t remember many specific times. But they will remember your love for them and your attitude towards life.  Leave a memory of hope! 

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One Comment

  1. You are not alone in how you feel at all. I am the same way about old pictures and memories. Having 6 boys over a pretty big time span (18 years), being a blended family, I always look back with bittersweet thoughts of the past. Wishing I could go back and change some things, remember certain things. Then looking to the future and not wanting time to pass so quickly. My youngest is 12 and the only one I have homeschooled. I relate to so much of what you are saying and definitely needed to be reminded to enjoy what God has placed before me at this moment in time. I literally had that thought this morning before I watched this video. Blessings to you and your family during this holiday season. Merry Christmas!

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