Last Saturday while working on the computer I clicked on Facebook and the pictures from this year’s Les Amies Winter Formal were starting to be posted. This annual event takes place in the middle of January and for some reason it usually is accompanied by a cold front or a cold wind. It seems like this year was no exception, and I am sure the young ladies were feeling that cold wind in their formal dresses.

While looking at the pictures posted by proud parents it did not seem possible that those young people in the photos should be posing for pictures and getting into a limo to go to a dance. Especially with those who are freshmen it seems they should be in 6th grade at the most. But here they are dressed up going out into the world, the young ladies in their gowns and the young men all dressed up in their tuxes. The ladies had their hair and makeup all done, after spending all day getting ready for their special night and were waiting for their dates to show up. Then the fun really begins. Now the picture-taking time begins. All the mothers and dads have to record all of this for the future. For man this is their first time to participate in a formal and no picture can be left unmade.

While looking at all the pictures and thinking how grown up they look my mind wandered back to the times several years ago when my wife Lynn and I taught the four-year-old Sunday school class at First Methodist. During that time we had the good fortune to be able to be part of the lives of several of those young people. We have been able to follow many of them as they have grown up and now can enjoy reminiscing about some of the memories from their earlier years.

Maybe that is one advantage that age brings. You have more memories to look back at and remember so many of the good times from the past. Also, watching how fast these young folks have grown up really gives you reason to enjoy life and make the most of each day we are given. Youth is not wasted on the young; it is also meant to be shared by those who have the privilege of knowing and being a part of the lives of the young folks. I hope you all made great memories this past weekend; ones that you will carry forward and remember when your kids are going to their dances.

Randy Garrison is the president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.