Remember When _______?

Oh, the stories we could tell. And most times we do tell those stories when we get together as a family. As far as the Tollison Family goes, we have a few crazy stories that we tell over and over again and laugh so hard about. I have passed most of those stories on to my kids.

Before my mom passed, she shared stories about her and dad and our family that I put in writing. I hope to one day have that in print, for all the Tollison family, if no one else would ever read it. I know that my kids would want to know about their heritage.

Speaking of my kids, they used to laugh when we would go on family vacations and hear me say, “we’re making memories!” Or they would ask me, “what are we doing?” And smile really big, because they already knew what my answer would be.

Those memories of my boys at home and raising them to become strong in their faith, has never left this momma. Yes, I took them to church. But more than that, they learned how to live that out at home. We had rules to follow. They knew that when they had disobeyed, there would be individual time talking it out with me, and at times reminded what living by the fruit of the Spirit really meant.

I wanted to also stress that it was okay to have fun as a Christian. I never wanted things to be so rigid that they would stop listening to me, or more than that, stop responding to Gods leading in their lives.

We “made memories” on Florida family vacations, time with grandparents, family get togethers at Aunts and Uncles, game nights with friends, started our own little family traditions (example: at Christmas we would go to parade followed by buying Christmas tree, popcorn and Wassail and decorating tree with Dolly and Kenny playing on the cassette player) …my list could go on.

As a grandmother, the memories are different, because of the “less than ideal” distance. But when we get together with these sweet grandchildren, I try to make every moment count. I want them to have memories that they can cherish and pass on to their own kids one day. Some that quickly come to mind:

*We had a dance party in Brandon and Ashley’s living room with their kids and Brad and Hollys kids

*Grandma rapped in the van with Cooper and the other kids while dad was in the store

*I sat on the couch with Joseph, and he shared all his favorite things from a report that was “all about him”. As I listened and commented on it, he would say, “Gma, you rock”

*Spending time doing fingernails and toenails with Margo and Sloan.

*Dressing similar with Nora and going to the Bass Pro Shop

*Being able to see Blythe baptized by her daddy

*Swimming at neighbor's pool with many of the gkids..just having fun

*Enjoying Thanksgiving meals with the Maupin kids and grandkids

*Many more

You have your own good and not so good memories. Raising kids is not all lollipops and roses. Parents mess up sometimes. Just always remember to make some good memories along the way and pray that those outweigh any negative ones.

Deuteronomy 32:7 NASB95

[7] "Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations. Ask your father, and he will inform you, Your elders, and they will tell you. #helpforyourdailywalk #paulaandthebible