We all move through the developmental stages of life — sitting, crawling, walking, speaking. Some reach them sooner than others, but the truth is the same for all of us: the time it takes is often a truer reflection of future capability than early speed. Don’t rush it. And don’t expect to win the race on the first lap.

No one remembers when they first walked, yet life’s milestones become deeply personal and often unforgettable. A first kiss. The first drive without a licensed passenger. My hundredth bird. We may no longer long for the same kiss or those early solo drives, but that first bird is one I still treasure.

Oh, how things change. Not always for the better, but always with significance. What matters is that we notice, remember, and keep moving forward.

Keep memories alive — by continuing to live