“Remember? Do you remember the times of your life?”
These poignant words from Paul Anka’s famous song wafted out of Plaza Hall. We had indeed gathered there to remember the times of our lives. I joined a group of seniors on Monday, 10 April 2026, to participate in a Reminiscence and Spirituality Workshop (R&S Workshop).
REMINISCENCE AND REMEMBERING
Peggie Chan, our workshop leader, explained the concept of ‘reminiscence’. This multi-syllabic mouthful simply means remembering or recollecting. In reminiscence activities, we are encouraged to recall past events, people and places to discover who we are, where we have been and how we have changed. These memories trigger a range of emotions. When we revisit moments of joy, struggle or transformation, we begin to see the threads of meaning that have shaped our lives.
Reminiscence is biblically-grounded. There are over 100 Bible verses that contain the word or idea of remembering. As believers, we are encouraged to remember God’s mercies and Christ’s sacrifice for us. God wants us to remember how He has been faithful in His covenant promises, and how He continues to be for us and with us. When we look back on how we have endured or even overcome our challenges, this reinforces our conviction that God has always held us in the palm of His hand.
“When we look back on how we have endured or even overcome our challenges, this reinforces our conviction that God has always held us in the palm of His hand.”
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
It was time to put theory into practice through a series of activities. First, we were prompted to share our childhood memories in conversation. A table of lovingly assembled vintage items served as visual cues. These included ‘Good Morning’ towels, rubber band skipping ropes, ‘five stones’, sepia-tinged childhood photographs and my favourite, a piggy bank from the now-defunct Chung Khiaw Bank.
James Kwok enthusiastically spoke about his growing-up years listening to Lei Dai Sor on Rediffusion. Many of us resonated with his memories of this famed storyteller and his marvellous kungfu tales. Some difficult memories surfaced too. A sister-in-Christ shared that she had been wrongfully punished and humiliated by her teacher for something she did not do. Thankfully, through God’s grace, she was later able to overcome the hurt and forgive her teacher.
WHAT’S THAT SOUND?
The second activity appealed to our sense of hearing. We sat in groups to identify vintage songs and sounds from audio recordings. This segment was challenging but fun. Even the quieter members of my group brightened up as we tried to work out the answers. A group calling themselves Country Roads (each group was asked to choose a retro name) emerged as the winners of the quiz.
EXAMEN
The final activity was more reflective in nature. This was an exercise in Examen, which involves reflecting on and evaluating one’s thoughts and conduct. We were given coloured cards and fountain pens to write a private letter to someone. The intention was to put into words feelings that would normally go unsaid.
One participant wrote a heartfelt letter to God, expressing gratitude for His constant presence. Another wrote to her ‘strong and silent’ earthly father, thanking him for his acts of care. Writing a letter by hand is a slow and deliberate process and using a fountain pen helped us focus our thoughts. My table mate, Teo Lin Lin, was also pleased to find that it significantly improved her otherwise illegible ‘doctor’s writing’!
SIGNIFICANCE
The R&S Workshop was a specially organised event, in addition to Wesley Glowing Years Ministry’s (GYM) regular programmes such as Kopitiam and Happy Hour. One of the organisers, Wesley GYM associate pastoral team member Trixie Chin, shared that she first sensed the potential of reminiscence during a similar workshop at Faith Methodist Church last year. “I caught a vision of knots being loosened, wounds being healed,” she said.
After attending the session, I understood what she meant. When old memories are awakened, we may see past events and interactions differently. This is due to the passage of time and the experiences that have since shaped us. Bringing God into our perspective helps us perceive these memories in a more redeeming light.
In my own case, the Examen stirred thoughts and emotions towards a loved one that I had not considered before, and I am grateful for this insight. I hope that the other participants were similarly touched by their own meaningful memories.
“Bringing God into our perspective helps us perceive these memories in a more redeeming light.”
A meaningful morning was spent sifting through the contents of our memory vaults in a warm and friendly community. Through the laughter, sharing and encouragement during the activities, as well as the quiet reflection of the Examen, may we be reminded that God has gifted us with this precious ability to reminisce. God is in our remembering.
(Photos courtesy of Daisy Tan and Elaine Yeo)
Read also: A Day of Blooming Smiles: Glowing Years Ministry’s Seniors Outing to the National Orchid Garden
