Erin Cochran/Winonan

In life, there are so many little moments that make up who we are. We never really know when those pivotal moments will happen, and that’s how life needs to be.

There are times when I sit and reflect on all those moments. Some say it’s bad to live in the past, but I love it back there. It reminds me of why I am this way today, why I care so much about the little things. The past is a great place to spend an afternoon.

There are always those small things that make us who we are. Recently, I started reading “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

I have never loved a book more than this one. I have always made excuses regarding why I never really sat down to read a book for pleasure. “I’m too lazy.” “I have to read for school, why would I read if I don’t have to?” If you feel like this, stop right now and read this book.

It reminds me of the simpler times. It reminds me to always take in those amazing moments that make up because they define who are and how we look at every situation we’re put in for the rest of our lives.

“I walked over to the hill where we used to go and sled. There were a lot of little kids there. I watched them flying. Doing jumps and having races. And I thought that all those little kids are going to grow up someday. And all those little kids are going to do the things that we do. And they will all kiss someday. But for now, sledding is enough. I think it would be great if sledding were always enough, but it isn’t”

That passage is so simple. But if you read it carefully and feel for those moments and truly remember what it felt like to just be a kid, when nothing mattered and when all you had to do was just be a kid and make those memories, it means everything. It is everything.

Today, life is so complicated. There are bills to pay, people to please, grades to be made, connections to be kept and starting to worry about what your future would be like. What will you do for your children to allow them to make those special connections? Will they one day sit and reflect on all the memories they made and smile because it made them the person they are today?

“And I swear in this moment, we were infinite.”

Take a moment. Reflect on all the amazing things that have gotten you to where you are today. All the people you have met, the ones who have come and gone. The time you knew you fell in love. The time your heart was completely shattered. What has made you feel infinite? Just take an afternoon to reflect, live in the past and be glad you did. Remember why you are alive and accept the moments that are yet to come.

Contact Erin at [email protected]