I’ve been alive for more than 14,500 days. If I took the time to stop and think (OK, that’s what I’m doing right now), the number of those days I could honestly say I “remember” would be very small.
Even smaller would be the number of days that I could attach specific dates to.
I have vivid and happy memories of the Milwaukee Bucks winning the NBA Finals in 2021, but I honestly can’t remember the exact date (I took a guess and I was only a day off — it happened on July 20). That being said, I also have vivid and happy memories of my wedding day that happened later that year (Beloved, if you’re reading this, you can quiz me on the exact date).
I remember my first day of high school pretty well, but I don’t remember the exact date. Three years later, I remember the date and most of what happened on a certain 11th day of September.
I remember the date of my First Communion and the date when I was Confirmed in 2001, but I can’t remember the dates of most of my Confessions or any really good Holy Hours I’ve had.
Why dates
Why is remembering certain dates so important? Two reasons: We want to remember and we can’t forget.
Not that said Confessions and Holy Hours aren’t important, but for as much as I go to each, one of them I’d like to forget (at least until the next time I go), and the other one, I hope to always do better next time.
We remember and celebrate birthdays because life is such a gift to be celebrated.
I tend to grumble when mine comes around every year, but I should be grateful I have one to celebrate.
Sometimes sadly, we remember days and dates of great loss and pain.
We remember when we lost that friend too early. We remember when that loved one died.
We count the weeks, months, and years it has been since that trauma happened. We can’t forget.
New days ahead
More memorable days are ahead of us — both good and bad.
For many of these days, we won’t know they’re coming until they’re here.
On a particular December 6, November 21, or September 10, most people didn’t know what was coming the next day (save for some who were plotting evil acts).
That being said, days before weddings, Baptisms, or other special celebrations had hopes for them the day before.
Take care when trying to manipulate the time to come. Things may happen that you never want to forget, or things may happen that you’d give anything to forget.
Either way, you remember, and those days on the calendar are forever burned into our memories.
Are you ready for the next day?
Thank you for reading.
I’m praying for you.