Christmas in July? Not really...

A favorite option I have with my blog host is the ability to have multiple drafts saved at one time. When I work full-time, Monday through Friday, I usually write my blogs for the week and save them as a "draft" so I can post quickly as part of my morning routine prior to leaving for work. During the summer, I still use the draft folder but in different ways.

In addition to the completed blogs awaiting the day they'll make their way to a live post, there are some that only contain snapshots of an idea. An idea, video, song, Scripture verse, or photograph that grabs my attention. I might not have the time to write blog so I just set a temporary title and make notes in the text portion so I remember my purpose for saving that particular item. Sometimes if I haven't made notes within the draft, I forget the initial inspiration and sadly, it's deleted.

Other times I've worked on a blog sporadically over a few days or months, waiting for the "right" time to post it. The idea and photographs for an upcoming blog started last fall, I took the last photograph for this blog only yesterday. A work in progress.

I enjoy blogging and sharing the tidbits of life with all of you. During the summer and vacations I dedicate time to sifting through my draft folder. First and foremost, to weed out drafts that will never develop into a blog. It might have been a stellar idea when I created it but now that I'm awake or less emotional, it doesn't work. Once this is done, I spend time finishing up some of the drafts so they are ready to post.

Sadly, some of my ideas that once were a draft, are deleted. Take today's blog for instance. I have no idea why I saved this photograph in a blog as a draft! Oh my gosh. The only thing I know is that as I read through my draft folder, the original title caught my attention. It was something about building a snowman. I know, right?!

With the mouse positioned over the "delete" button I paused, then moved the mouse to open the draft. I changed the title and wrote this blog. The photograph has no spiritual value or great lesson I learned to share with you BUT there is one thing this photo did ~ it created emotion and brought a smile and laughter to me early on a Friday morning. I remember the evening this photo was taken and all the fun Mags and I had that night taking goofy photos and decorating the Christmas tree. It's a memory.

How many times have you been cleaning out a drawer, reorganizing furniture, or even opening a book when a photograph falls out? You know the instances I'm talking about, right? For instance, yesterday as I searched for the various index cards and books I logged my friends and families special dates in (to add to my new book, see tomorrow's blog), an envelope from Fays fell from behind the books. It was wedged in the back. I opened it and with tears found a picture of my father-in-law holding one of his new great-grandchildren in 2008. A year before he left us to join Jesus in heaven.

A photograph holds our memories until the paper wears or is destroyed. A memory to invoke laughter, tears, or peace. Yesterday's photographic find brought both a smile and tears. Today's photograph, a laugh-out-loud and ear-to-ear grin. Both important people and memories, remember to take pictures, today's photo is tomorrow's memory.

What picture appeared expectedly that took your breath away?