Seemed like the time would never get here, but soon our relatives from Florida would be arriving for a brief visit. As I remembered walking on the beach with my toes in the surf on our stays with them, I found myself wishing I could climb into their suitcase and fly back to that delight again.

Then some as-if-it-were-just-yesterday memories started flowing and brought a 1983 scene back to life...

It was Barker Family Reunion time once again. Every summer for as long as I could remember, my Dad’s side of the family had gathered for a weekend of fellowship, food, and fun. That year we were staying in the bunk-bedded rooms at Camp Sumatanga, a Methodist church camp near my grandparents’ home in Boaz, Alabama.

Afterwards I was flying from there to Atlanta to facilitate some focus groups. My 2 year old daughter Sara would be spending time with my folks in Tennessee and then I’d join her there before flying back to our Cincinnati home.

We (second from the left) had a great weekend with my cousins and their daughters who were about Sara’s age.

When it was time for me to open my suitcase to finish packing for my flight, however, it had an unexpected bumpiness inside. Sara had climbed in and was patiently waiting for me to find her hiding spot.

When I lifted the lid, she popped up like a jack-in-the-box saying “Let’s fwy fwy away, Mommy!”

Since then, we’ve flown away together several times on trips that have created funny and uplifting shared memories. Like to Minnesota where she caught tadpoles that she snuck home on the plane (unbeknownst to me) to become her pet frogs, and to St. Croix years later for a wonderful mother-daughter trip with awesome snorkeling moments.

I’m curious about what she remembers or treasures from those times we shared. And I’m excited to discover what I will eventually end up jotting about after we reminisce together?!

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After I found the Sara-in-the-suitcase photo for this post, I had to chuckle at this shot of Lincoln, her son, at about that same age.

He had tried to hide himself inside the box of diapers in his room. I know it’s not a suitcase, but I can't help but wonder where he’ll be wanting to stow away to with his Mommy and what memories they’ll make together?

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How about you? I’d love to support you as you follow the threads of memory through the generations of your family, and decide where your heart wants to start jotting. You might even find connections (that you hadn’t expected) to add another layer to your original mini-story. 💕

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JOYfully jotting,

Katie

Family PhotoStory Curator

Mini-Stories Writing Coach

Your Legacy of Memories Mentor

Capturing Mini-Moments that Matter…

Energizing & Connecting Families for Generations!