The Keep List

Stuff worth remembering

Why is it that we seem to remember the hard moments: the fight on a road trip, the wardrobe malfunction at a birthday celebration, the toddler tantrum at the most magical place on earth, while the quiet joys slip by?

When I think back to the year I spent with my parents, I want to appreciate its beauty and recognize how lucky I am to have had a bonus year with them as they age. However, I immediately remember the struggles: my dad’s moments of brain fog, my mom’s nights of too-much-wine, and my dog shivering on the frozen ground during a February walk.

When in reality, the beautiful moments were much more common: the times I walked Rudy as he rolled in the grass (although he was rolling around in a worm, but whatever), meaningful chats with my parents, and Dad making Mom belly laugh at a silly, quintessential dad-joke.

Her: My tooth hurts. Should I call a dentist?

Him: No, maybe call a plumber.

The most beautiful moments happen quietly. They hide in the shadows of the extravagant times, rarely getting their due credit. What would our days be like without catching a toddler’s toothy grin, hitting every green light on the drive home, or waking up at the exact moment that the coffee is ready?

Rather than remembering my nephew’s tantrum at the pool on our vacation, I want to hold onto the look in his eyes as he splashed with his brother. Instead of dwelling on the week when all of my appliances broke at once, I want to savor the awe of walking into my newly renovated home. And rather than fixating on the anxiety I felt just before telling my boyfriend I love him for the first time, I want to remember what it felt like when he said it back.

And so, I’m attempting The Keep List, a practice in collecting the tiny moments that make days beautiful. And who knows, maybe someday I’ll be able to look back and remember what really matters.

Life’s too short to forget the good stuff. Let’s start keeping track.

I’d love to hear what’s on your daily Keep List. Please share in the comments.