Holding on to the Memories

It seems to me that as we progress through our lives, we are losing the precious memories that are the key to our past. These cherished memories are slowly being erased from our minds, their empty voids being replaced with knowledge that cannot possibly be as important to us as what was erased.
This all started while I was relaxing this evening, soaking in the tub (yes...the bath tub). The quietness of the moment allowed my brain to detach itself from reality and wander away into its own little chamber of thought. I began to think about the important events in my life that changed me forever. I stumbled across what I consider to be one of the most important date in the history of my life...August 27th, 1998. That date may not be significant to any of you, and most of you probably don't know what happened on that day. But let me tell you...it changed my life forever.
Some of you may have been able to guess what happened on this day, and some of you would have no clue that it ever happened until I tell you. On the day of August 27th, 1998, my dad was taken from my life out of the blue. No cause of death, no warning signs. It just happened. I was only 6, my brother only 11. I realize that it must have been much harder on my brother than it was on me. After all, I was just a mere 6 years old, and I really didn't have a clue.
As I look back on this tragic day, I realize that I have no recollection of who my dad was...no memories, only stories that other people tell me. How am I supposed to wander through my life not knowing about half of who I am? There are so many things that I want to know...Is he proud of me for who I am now? Does he know that I would do anything just to see him one more time? Does he know that I love him? Does he know that I cry as I am writing this?
What makes me more upset is that I don't even take the time to think about him all that often...its like Ive just grown away from him. But how could you do that to someone you love? How did life become so automatic that I cant even take the time to think about someone so important?
I guess I'm trying to say that we need to cherish the time we have with the people with love, and make as many memories as we can, before its too late. That way, when we are gone, we can still reflect on their lives. So cherish your time and your memories, because one day they will be all that you have.

xoxo
Rebecca