Remember...

The other day I bought a different brand of laundry detergent.  I was throwing in a load of laundry just now and the smell of the water combined with the Wisk detergent took me back to another place, another time.  

My mom used to use Wisk.  

I was surprised at first, at the wistfulness that I felt, longing for what used to be.  But then again, I wasn’t surprised b/c it seems lately that I have been longing for days gone by…making my ham or bologna sandwiches with butter and mustard just like Mom used to fix them. And I hated it then but not now.  Discovering once again Hunt’s Snack Pack Chocolate Marshmallow pudding just like I had in my lunch every day from 1st through 7th grade and never tired of it.  A strange longing for the taste of Liquiprin—a children’s pain reliever that I took as a child but is no longer available.  And there have been other familiar sites and smells in the last year or two that beckon me to remember moments of my past.

And then I wondered why?  What is it that I want from yesteryears?  Being a child again with little or no responsibilities?  Going back to when my parents had impeccable health?  Reverting back to a time when life was simpler with much less hustle and bustle?  Or is it just that I am getting older and see my girls growing up so fast and I want to grab the hands of time and beg them to slow down a bit?

I’m not really sure, but I do know this, I will revel in each and every moment, each and every memory as often as I am given opportunity.  I will remember the moments of yesteryears and then tuck them away for safe keeping in the hope chest of my mind so that I can bring them out on occasion and reminisce again.  And if it’s nothing more than an escape from the stress of today, it will have served it’s purpose.