Cherishing a moment can be a positive experience

Date: 10/25/2024

Are you a sentimental person? Many people will answer “No” because in our society, sentimentality is viewed by many as a weakness. Before you answer that question, stop a second, read and give thought to the following quote:

“Feeling sentimental can give you a sense of belonging and make you feel a strong connection to people, a place, or an experience. This is something we all feel from time to time! Our lives are made up of so many moments, and cherishing those moments can be a really positive thing!”

Now, before you answer my first question, let me ask you to consider the following questions: Do you still have that jewelry passed down to you by your mother or grandmother, what about the old car that you drive that once belonged to your father, or do you keep picture books of family vacations? Answering these questions, and so many others might be your clue as to your level of sentimentality. Personally, I believe that as we get older, we become more sentimental; we reminisce about events past, and people now gone who touched or impacted our lives. Many of us attach feelings to objects such as those mentioned above, because they remind us of moments and people that we truly cherish.

When my father died, I asked for and obtained his wedding band that he had worn the entire fifty-nine years of his married life. While I don’t wear his ring, every so often, I take that ring out, hold it in my hand and think about the beautiful marriage enjoyed by my mother and father. At that moment, I feel a connection to my father even though he has been gone close to twenty years.

I realize that what I just shared may not make sense to you, but stop a minute and ask yourself if you can relate to my story. While I know that many of you may scoff at the idea that being sentimental is a positive emotion, I truly believe, that cherishing a moment, a person, a place or a thing can be a positive experience in our lives. When you drive dad’s old car, or you wear your late mother’s wedding ring, or you peruse that old family pictures album, don’t you feel a connection to that individual, and just for a moment don’t you hold that feeling in your heart? I believe we all experience moments such as these, and for a brief period, we feel a wonderful connection with those we loved who are no longer with us, and how many of us wouldn’t enjoy feeling that connection?