Childhood memories are turning into full circle moments for me.
And maybe for you too.
Let me explain.
POV: The Best Things Cost Nothing
Some of my best childhood memories didn’t cost a dime.
Just time — and a little wonder.
Because they came from being outside.
Exploring.
Enjoying creation.
Looking back, most of my favorite memories happened outdoors.
Like back when I was about 3-4 years old.
There’s this massive tree.
Fallen leaves everywhere.
I’m running, laughing, falling into a pile of them.
Looking up from the ground.
Eyes to the sky.
Cheeks bursting with joy.
Someone was tickling me!
I can’t see their face anymore.
But I can remember what a wonderful time that was.
Maybe you didn’t grow up with a big yard.
But I bet you have memories too — the kind that didn’t need toys, money, or big trips to feel special.
That’s what I’m talking about.
Childhood moments shaped by time, not stuff.
Safe Summers + Simple Joys
Another time, I was too little to explore my great-grandmother’s property with the ‘big kids.’
Ugh. I had to stay behind.
No creek. No dirt bike trails.
But long summer nights made that disappointment disappear.
I remember bonfires with sweet swelling smoke.
And the crackling sound of burning plants.
Wish I knew what they were.
I remember days playing under a bridge —
Or finding tadpoles in tiny steams along the roadside.
It was so safe back then.
We were on farmland.
There were no cars, no traffic lights, and no stores for miles.
Just family. Just land.
Those summers felt ordinary at the time.
But now, as an adult, I appreciate that upbringing more than ever.
A Memory That Felt Like A Dream
And then there’s a memory that almost felt made up:
Riding in the backseat of my grandparents’ car.
Travelling down a long gravel road.
Trees lining both sides.
Butterflies everywhere.
It felt like a dream—but it wasn’t. I was at an orchard.
You ever have a memory that feels straight out of a movie?
One that feels almost dreamlike —
so magical it’s hard to believe it was real.
Hold onto those.
They matter more than we think.
Read more: The Memory That Almost Felt Made Up
Memories or Seeds for the Future?
I’m learning that some of my favorite childhood memories were actually glimpses of my future.
Seeds waiting to be nurtured to eventually sprout, grow, and bloom.
And just like seeds, some memories don’t reveal their purpose right away.
They sneak up years later.
They turn into full circle moments.
Aha moments.
When it all makes sense moments.
I had one of those recently.
A Visitor in My Garden
I was working outside in my garden when a familiar face stopped by.
They wanted to see what I was growing.
We walked.
They looked around.
It seemed to bring them joy.
Then they said something that stayed with me:
I’d love to bring a class of students here.
At first, I thought sure, that’s cool.
But months later, I realized—those words were more than a sweet compliment or sincere request.
It was like God whispering to me:
See? This is part of my plan,
—And my promise for you. 🥹🥹
Only God could turn a childhood memory into a grown-up promise.
But get this? I didn’t sense that whisper until months later.
The Photo That Brought It Back
Just recently I went out into my garden to take pictures.
I didn’t even want to do it.
I had other things to do.
But I couldn’t let the moment pass because I know:
✅ Photos help me track progress
✅ Writing captures what I’d otherwise forget
✅ And everyday moments soon turn into memories
So, I went outside with my camera.
The sun danced in the background.
It looked magical.
I snapped a shot.
Didn’t think much of it at first.
But later that day?
Boom — core memory unlocked.
Core Memory Unlocked
I was maybe 5 or 6 years old.
Our class went on a field trip.
Before heading back, our teacher invited us to her backyard for lunch.
I’ll never forget it:
🌱 Grass so soft and green
🌤️ The sun shining bright
🌲 Trees letting just enough light peek through on my skin
That memory was magical.
And that little moment became bigger than the field trip itself.
Now, this week (September 2nd 2025),
decades after that little moment,
I finally understood why the memory felt so big.
I have my own backyard.
My own garden.
And an educator—
Who just happened to stop by—
Said they’d love to bring students here.
Do you see the thread?
God was weaving this childhood memory into my grown-up reality.
Maybe you grew up in a city.
Or didn’t have a garden.
But you have memories like mine.
They stick to you like glue.
Feeling familiar but distant at the same time.
Like, wait, is this a dream?
Maybe that’s because core memories are really seeds of God’s promises.
When God’s Promises Come Full Circle
Think about this: I could have overlooked the connection between my teacher’s backyard and my own garden today.
But seeing the connection is what made the moment so powerful.
That tells me loud isn’t always how God’s promises show up.
Sometimes they unfold little by little—like breadcrumbs leading us from one step to the next.
✨ Subtle.
✨ Gentle.
✨ A soft launch.
✨ Familiar moments that click later.
Undeniable proof that…
God can take even the smallest seeds + bring them into full bloom.
Breadcrumbs: God’s Trail of Clues
Looking back, I see my childhood memories aren’t just stories from the past.
✅ They can be breadcrumbs
✅ They can be hints
✅ They can be seeds of the future
And when the season is right—
God grows them into something beautiful.
You know we can even step into those full circle moments without realizing it.
I don’t know why it took me so long to see mine.
❌ Maybe grief
❌ Maybe distraction
❌ Maybe busyness
But here’s what I’m doing now to notice more in the future:
✅ Journaling daily → looking back helps spot patterns
✅ Paying attention to aha moments
✅ Revisiting some of what once sparked wonder
Because that just might be a hint of what God was planting—and planning—all along.
That’s a wrap for now.
If this post unlocked a core memory for you, hold onto it.
Maybe it’s one of your breadcrumbs!!
Got any thoughts, ideas, or questions? ♡♡♡
Drop them in the comments!
Hi, I’m LOLA ⸻ the creator of offbeat life advice brand, The Smoking Prophet, owner of a growing content agency, and cultivator of life (family first)!
Most days, you can find me at my desk, in my garden, or on the go. My super-social family keeps me on my toes!
Follow The Smoking Prophet to ignite your creativity, grow spiritually, and blaze your own trail online!
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