Summer often creates opportunities to slow down and spend time with family and friends. Why do those simple moments matter so much?
Because those ordinary moments eventually become the memories we treasure most.
When I think about my dad, it's not always the big milestones I remember. It's family dinners. Vacation card games. Funny inside jokes. Walking on the beach. Watching the sunset over the lake. Those simple moments became priceless.
I always encourage families to intentionally create Memory Moments because someday they'll become part of the legacy we leave behind for our loved ones to recreate.
Are there any traditions, rituals, or everyday practices that help people stay connected to the loved ones they have lost?
Absolutely.
Some of my favorites are also the simplest.
Cook their favorite meal. Celebrate their birthday. Listen to their favorite music. Take the annual family trip. Light a candle. Look through old photographs. Gather together and tell stories.
Sometimes we create those Memory Moments on purpose. Other times, they seem to find us.
A rainbow after a difficult day. A favorite song that unexpectedly comes on the radio. Finding a penny just when you needed hope.
I personally believe God often uses those ordinary moments in extraordinary ways to remind us that love never ends and that the people we love are forever in His care.
Through your work, you've heard countless stories of remembrance and hope. Is there one that has stayed with you?
There are far too many to choose just one.
What amazes me is that while every story is different, they all leave people with the same feeling.
Hope.
People often ask me if I believe in signs.
I usually tell them, I do, I believe in a loving God who knows exactly what His children need and how to get our attention.
Sometimes He comforts us through Scripture.
Sometimes through another person.
Sometimes through prayer.
And sometimes through a beautiful Memory Moment or a sign that gently reminds us our loved one is safe with Him and always with us.
Whether it's a butterfly, a favorite song, a penny, or simply an overwhelming sense of peace, I've watched those moments bring incredible comfort to people who needed it most.
Many people struggle with giving themselves permission to rest or simply be present. What have you learned about the importance of slowing down?
I've learned that when I slow down, I notice more.
I notice the people around me.
I notice beauty.
I notice gratitude.
And I notice God.
Some of the most meaningful Memory Moments happen when we're fully present instead of rushing to the next thing.
Life moves quickly.
The greatest gift we can give ourselves and the people we love is our attention.