Soggy store-room but such warm memories

A TAP left running and a facecloth blocking the plug hole meant Sue’s bathroom had a good soaking.

But, worse than that, the water flooded the store-room below where she and her family had boxed up year’s worth of memories.

Sue’s heart sank when she saw the devastation. The family came

HE had something he really needed to get off his chest.

But I wasn’t the one he could tell. I asked why not. He told me he had read my stories. He knew what I was like. I was too nice, too good…

So, I let him be quiet while I did some talking. I told him more about me, my losses, my fears, my mistakes…

And when I finished he told me what had been burdening him and, I hope, he felt better for it. You see, it’s not about being good. It’s about understanding that we all make mistakes. And it’s about not judging. together and got to work. Thankfully, not too much had to be thrown out but every box had to be opened and checked just in case.

Trying on some of the old clothes lightened the mood and some of the old ornaments brought back memories of other homes.

By the time the old photographs came out the work was almost done and the family were sat on the dried floor recalling the good old days.

When it was all over everyone agreed it had been the best family day they could remember.

Proof to Sue that even the soggiest of situations can be dried out by the warmth of a family’s love.

“REGRETS, I’ve had a few.” Ryan laughed as he quoted the Sinatra song. “But they really are too few to mention!” Now Ryan’s a happy chappie but it wasn’t always so.

“So, what’s the secret,” I asked. I didn’t really expect there to be one because things are rarely that simple but Ryan summed it up in a few words. “I stopped saying, ‘If only... and replaced it with, ‘The next time...’”

Life is a learning process. We all make mistakes but we end up happier if we learn from them. But first of all we should follow Ryan’s example and learn to do away with, “If only...” You won’t regret it!

Life can be lonely, And life can be sad, And sometimes we wish, For things we’ve not had; But let us think a moment, And remember good times past, You’ll always have your memories, Yes, they are meant to last!