topic Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime? in Community Chat

Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Mersha — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:49:12 GMT

I am not speaking of those special moments such as marriages, births, parties, holidays or celebrations.

This is more of the moment that you never anticipated. You realize when it is happening that it is very special and it will always be with you.

My most vivid is as a young child, probably 7 or 8 on a very cold day right before Christmas. I was out sledding with several other children and the day was turning into night and the moon was growing brighter. It began to snow as I was pulling my sled up the hill to return home. I recall standing there for a moment and looking at everything. In that moment, I knew it special. That proverbial "lightbulb went off.

That memory has stayed with me for all of these years. It always hits me when I least expect it....the feeling of that very moment.

That experience/memory will be with me forever.

Does that happen to you?

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

FastDogWalker2 — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:53:12 GMT

Yes, I have. One in particular was a day at the beach with my husband and two friends. The water was perfect, the sun was perfect - it was pure happiness. It happened around 41 years ago I think. I have had others but this moment is easiest to describe.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Eagle-girl — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:02:51 GMT

That is a lovely memory! So very similar to mine.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

LindaSal — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:04:05 GMT

A few summers ago we hiked in Denali National Park in Alaska. We made it to the top of one of our mountain hikes and me and my hubby sat on a rock to eat lunch and drink some water. (it was five miles up) Suddenly the clouds parted over Mt Denali (was called Mt Mckinley) and you had the clearest view ever! 70% of the time that mountaintop is under cloud cover. We just sat there, mesmerized for a good 20 minutes until those clouds rolled back in........we bought a t shirt later that has "the 30% club"on it, as those are your chances for that to happen while visiting. I've had other moments like that but this one wins the prize....

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

jlkz — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:10:30 GMT

Most of those " This is a gift " moments have occurred involving my departed and dearly loved aunt.

The first was right after she had passed. It was my birthday and I knew there would be no early morning call with her singing Happy Birthday. Instead as I looked out the French doors to the patio, there was one large rhododendron bloom...in late November !

The second happened as I was dusting my office. I picked up the music box she had given me as a Christmas gift years ago. Rather than it playing 2 or 3 notes, it played the entire song. No one had wound it up.

Another is way too long and unbelievable for me to go into here.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Mersha — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:21:51 GMT

@jlkz I love the term for what I described as "this is a gift" moment. I will use that from now on.

I am enjoying reading your "gifts."

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

QVCkitty1 — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:31:23 GMT

I was the kind of wretched child wouldn't rest till I found out all of my Christmas presents. When I was in Jr. High, I asked for a stereo and my folks said it just wasn't in the budget at that time. When we got home Christmas Eve, they sent me upstairs on a bogus errand. When I came down I heard the West Side Story Overture ( it was my favorite musical ) and low and behold there was my stereo ! At that moment I realized how magical it was to be surprised. My folks couldn't believe they actually fooled me ! ❤️

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

SilleeMee — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:43:09 GMT

Yes. I saved a deer that was caught in between two metal fence gates. It would have died there if I didn't set it free. I will never forget it or the look on that poor deer's face.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Harpa — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 22:00:59 GMT

Once when I was very young (after high school) and driving to work, I had to wait at a crossroad. Across the road was a barn. The farmer was at the barn door, and a big sheep was gazing up at him. It was one of the tenderest things I've ever seen. Psalm 23 illustrated!

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

PA Mom-mom — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 23:13:08 GMT

@Mersha One day, while planting a tomato plant, I looked down at my hand and realized it was making the very same motions that my dad made when teaching me to plant. And they were the same motions my grandmother made when she washed the just picked lettuce leaves in her porcelain sink. The very same motions!

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

agb80 — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 23:30:10 GMT

@MershaI wish but no. I'm more of living in the now type..though I hate that saying. I really don't remember profound moments from my childhood except the realization that we all die and no one but our mother and maybe our father if we're lucky will love us unconditionally. I know...bring out the violins. I do envy you though.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

busymom22 — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 23:47:11 GMT

Yes I do, I have two in particular.

One was a short trip I took with my parents. This was just a few weeks before I got married and was going to move out of state. I can remember sitting in the backseat, looking out the window, and realizing what a special moment that was as we traveled through the mountains. My mother passed away from dementia and this is a special memory of her when we had a lot of fun.

Another was when my oldest was a toddler. I was a stay at home mom at the time and was playing with him on the floor. I can remember looking outside, the way the sun hit the trees, looking at my son, and realizing how I would always remember that moment of him toddling around in his denim overalls.

It's interesting how we can make these deep but lasting fleeting memories.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

CatsyCline — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 00:09:26 GMT

i felt that God/Godess had their hand on my shoulder...

i was 22 and friends from New England were visiting us. We went to the ocean beach in Long Island. a short drive from our home. i was a good swimmer, taking lifesaving courses. felt invincible or so i thought. i was vain and wanted to show off.

The surf was big and active that day; the Flag was blue denoting rough surf - use caution. There were multiple lifeguards in chairs spaced along the sand. i thought it was ok.

i quickly got into trouble and the rip current was taking me not only east but out to sea. the waves were huge and coming from all directions. the current was incredibly strong. i was so exhausted and in trouble, i raised my arm to signal lifeguards. they did not see me as i drifted east away from the boundary flags.

i had taken lifesaving courses and knew the three causes of drowning were panic, exhaustion and cramps. well i was panicking and exhausted. i had to reason with myself and talk myself down from panic.

i treaded water and half-swam parallell to shore for some distance until i could drag myself out of the water.

i will never forget that day. every summer people drown in the ocean in long island. i feel divine providence saved me that day.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Porcelain — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 00:23:32 GMT

@Mersha wrote:
I am not speaking of those special moments such as marriages, births, parties, holidays or celebrations.

This is more of the moment that you never anticipated. You realize when it is happening that it is very special and it will always be with you.

My most vivid is as a young child, probably 7 or 8 on a very cold day right before Christmas. I was out sledding with several other children and the day was turning into night and the moon was growing brighter. It began to snow as I was pulling my sled up the hill to return home. I recall standing there for a moment and looking at everything. In that moment, I knew it special. That proverbial "lightbulb went off.

That memory has stayed with me for all of these years. It always hits me when I least expect it....the feeling of that very moment.

That experience/memory will be with me forever.

Does that happen to you?

@Mersha your description is poetry. Thank you for the gift.

To answer your question, yes it does.

Mine is very mundane but it happens often. I get a blissful, all is well in the world, eternal feeling almost every time I find myself quietly sitting by an open window with fresh air flowing and birds singing outside. I think it must have happened a lot when I was a baby and I know it's happened often throughout my life. When I think about it, it's also an experience other humans have had throughout the ages all over the world. For me it feels like an instant meditation and a communion with both myself and something greater than myself. I try not to force it because I don't want to ruin it.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Porcelain — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 00:26:48 GMT

All of these descriptions are where poetry comes from.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Mersha — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 01:45:00 GMT

Wow!! All of the responses are wonderful!

They are very touching and uplifting.

Thank you for sharing!!

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

happycat — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 02:12:24 GMT

Yes, I have. They are special moments indeed. There are feelings that the heart remembers, I truly believe. We may not remember all the details of such times, but our hearts seem to have memories of the feelings, if that makes any sense.

Thank you @Mersha, I needed this tonight.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

AngelPuppy1 — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 11:41:48 GMT

@Mersha

Oh, that is lovely! I am picturing that myself. I think it is those unexpected moments or times that have the most meaning. Not the planned ones, not the large or fancy parties or regular holidays, etc. Some of the smallest, seemingly insignifcant moments at the time are often the most meaningful, poignant, and comforting.

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

godi — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 12:26:28 GMT

I have read this thread a few times now. The responses are just beautiful. I really don't know if I ever had that feeling but I hope I do someday. Thank you all for sharing. ❤️

Re: Do You Experience Unexpected, Fleeting, Special Moments That Last A Lifetime?

Judaline — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 13:24:18 GMT

I don't know what it is, but every time, on a spring day, when I open the windows to let in the beautiful spring air, the curtains start to blow and billow. I am instantly transported to a house we lived in in Larchmont, NY, when we were little. It was a happy time and a happy place. I love the feeling of happiness when this happens, starts in my stomach, then ripples from head to toe. Bliss.