I remember when...just like it was yesterday

I remember when...just like it was yesterday

How many times have you uttered those words- "I remember when...just like it was yesterday"?

And of all the times you've uttered those words, how often have you been thinking of something good- or of someone who's either grown up too soon or gone too soon?  Or of something you did to help someone- or something someone did to help you.

I know I do it all the time.  I can't believe I joined the Navy 24 years ago, can't believe I've been out for 16 years now.  That is the tough one- hard to believe all of those good times were so long ago.  Hard to believe it's been so long since a friend and I moved off base on Guam and had $20 between us to get through a week- and how other shipmates understood and helped us with food and things.  Not so hard to believe that that friend, Ty Eanes, would go on to serve 23 years and retire last year as Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Master Chief Petty Officer Ty Eanes- with a Master's Degree in hand that helped him land a great contracting position in D.C.

Don't get me wrong- I love reminiscing as much as the next guy.  I love remembering good times versus bad ones, remembering struggles I endured and saw the end of a tunnel's light. 

A better way, though, is to "remember" those times in the present.  Enjoy today today, make a difference in someone's life today- for God alone knows the number of our days.

Enjoy today today- we're not promised tomorrow.

Make a difference in someone's life today.  They'll remember tomorrow and long after you're gone. 

Remember that you're going to leave a legacy.  They say that first impressions are very important- you never get a second chance to make one.  Same for your legacy: once you're gone, there's no coming back to fix a bad one.

How much time does your "I remember when...just like it was yesterday" cover?