Remember Whens Poem by Jim Yerman

There is an excitement when we get together with family and friends
nothing can compare…
with the joy seen on our faces
with the laughter that fills the air.

One of the things I like most is when we're all sitting around…and then
someone begins a conversation with the words…'remember when'…

As they show up in a whisper…or enter on a shout
they knock on a door within our heart and invite our memories out.

Because following every ‘remember when'….everyone sitting there
will add their own perspective to a memory we share.

And before you know it ‘remember when's' are tossed out like beads in a parade
we raise our hands and catch them as they soar
we smile as we drape them ‘round our necks
and eagerly wait for more.

I suppose we don't think about it much…
how lucky is the family…who
have made a multitude of memories that they can rummage through…

on an evening when they come together…around a table…in a den
and for a while share some smiles…
and some laughter…
as they remember when…

And when the house is empty…
enveloped in silence once again
we wonder
at what point…
this night…
will become it's own
‘remember when'.