Sunday Morning Reflections: Quotes, Memories and Photographs

Every day I post two quotes, one in the morning and one late afternoon. Sharing great quotes started as a suggestion from my good buddy Scott Bourne as a way to build followers in my early Twitter days, but it's evolved into so much more. While I post the quotes because they're relevant to everything from life to business to friendship, etc. they've actually become a daily vitamin. Here's a prime example.

On Friday I shared the following quote with the picture below:

Missing my Dad, but smiling - "Sometimes when one person is missing the whole world seems depopulated."

Well, Jim Denham tweeted back,

                            Skip, my Dad's favorite quote was, "Jimmy, shut up!" Wish I could hear it one more time!

Jim and I know each other primarily through Twitter, although we met once years ago, which I had forgotten. I did what I often do, found his phone number and called him. One round of phone tag and a couple hours later we were laughing and sharing Dad stories. It was a great call and left me smiling even more.

Here's my point, too often we forget about the power of an image to take us back to a special moment in time. We also forget how connected we all are through the experiences in life we have in common. On Friday, when I posted that tweet I was just missing my Dad. He's been gone for a couple of years and it's rare that I don't think about him at least once a day, but the photographs and their memories keep me smiling.

My Dad was incredibly disciplined when it came to his health and died at 93, but onion rings were the one treat he refused to deny himself.  Square 1 Burgers on "Onion Ring Day" became a regular Wednesday lunch date. I don't drive by one of their restaurants today without laughing.

Dad was my best friend my entire life. I've got memories, stories and plenty of photographs to keep me happy. When those moments of sadness hit, all it takes is a picture or video to get me smiling from ear to ear.  

So, I'm wrapping it up this morning by sharing one of my favorite videos. Molly and I stopped by Dad's one morning. He loved Molly and the two of them had a special bond. The wool blanket on his bed made her butt itch and she'd reach back, do what dogs do, lick her butt and then go back to kissing Papa.

Wishing you a Sunday filled with peace, smiles and great memories whenever you need them. Go for those special therapeutic eleven-second hugs.  Most important of all appreciate those important people in your life. It's the time with them today that will be the foundation for all those stories, laughs and memories years from now.

​Happy Sunday!