The other day I needed a cord for my camera that I knew I had stuck....SOMEWHERE. I started looking in all the spots I stash stuff, boy I've got a lot of stash places. By my bed in a basket, in a hat box on my dresser, in drawers etc. etc. I realize that I "save" a lot of stuff. As I'm still looking for the cord I come across a baby outfit that I still keep in my underwear drawer. It has special meaning because all 4 of my babies wore it and after I had Jaxten, it just permanently stayed there. It's the tie I have to my "Babies". I still pull it out once in a while and smell it to see if it has lingering sweet baby smell. I look in the Hat Box and find some rocks my Mom had saved forever because "They had gem stones in them and I can have them made into jewelry" she would say...so I can't part with them. Then I look in a little jewelry box I've had since I was a kid. I came across most of my mom's old licences she kept over the years. Her last one she said her hair was "White" I guess she finally came to terms with aging and quit coloring her hair and let go of being the forever blond. Yes, there were the pregnancy test I kept, the "Escort Tag" Bart's Dad wore when we went through the Temple 21 something years ago. Baby teeth that belonged in one of the kid's mouth, a picture of me when I was 3 that my Grandpa Norton kept in his wallet until he died, I was in my late 20's when he died. A Mothers day corsage Landon made when he was a Teacher in Young Men's. Many card's with sweet sediment. Gold tatting lace my Aunt Theresa made me for Christmas one year. The list goes on and on. I realize, maybe I am a Pack Rat after all. But don't ask me to get rid of one thing, I can't do it! They are my "Earthly Treasures"
When Bart's Mom passed away 13 years ago, we went through a Hope Chest she had made. It was full of stuff like that. We would pull something out and ask Kami and Kerri, "What is this and what did it mean?" Nobody knew. It made me realize my kids will probably think the same thing,"huh??". I think our "Treasure's" are so special and have a deeper meaning then the item it self. I guess it comes down to the people we love and the memories we have shared. What are some of your treasures? Please Share with Me! Rachel
4 comments:
I believe we are all pack rats in our own way. I lack the ability to part with things that remind me of where I came from and how I became who I am. I have this handmade bag that belonged to my mother in school. It hold music that I cannot play. Reminds me that I do have a talent that is laying dormant.
I am becoming a pack rat for my children. I collect memories of their childhood, pieces of paper, clothes, toys, drawings, anything that shows something about them. I have these things stuffed into my closet. I am unable to let go of these things, maybe I am afraid I will forget all those things that are so precious to me now. Will they feel the same way or be horrified that I kept their umbilical cord ends?! Yuck! They will be a little frightened, I think. I am a little now thinking of it.! Thanks for sharing. Nice to feel normal.
Rach, I loved this post because I'm the same way. A favorite quote I came across a few years ago: "You are the curator of the museum of your life". It made me feel better about saving things! I have all the kids' baby teeth in a little "tooth fairy" tin. Katie came across it one day and that's how she knew "THE TRUTH". I have some pearls that were my dad's mother's, and my Grandma Elmer's hairpick that is strangely one of my biggest treasures. I also have a couple little shirts that all my kids wore, and my hope chest is stuffed full of little clothes I can't part with. I love the big bird cup that Rusty put my engagement ring in- I keep lunch money in it now. I have this little note that your mom wrote to Rusty and I on our anniversary just before she died. When we moved from Alpine, I distinctly remember going through papers, coming across that note and throwing it away- feeling like I've really got to quit saving every little piece of paper that comes into my life. When she died, I felt so bad I had thrown that away. About six months after she passed away, I was really missing her one day. And what somehow appears in a box I was cleaning out? That note. What a sweet blessing, because it is a great reminder to me of how much she loved all of us. Well, I'll quit writing a novel on your blog!! Keep on saving- I think it is such a comfort (until we have to call in HGTV to clean out your house!!)
Rachel- How cute. You are a pack rat to a degree, I suppose we all are. I am far worse than you, I would suspect. I have saved many things throughout the years. Remember that dollar bill you ripped in half when I went away to BYU? I still have it tucked away somewhere, I carried it in my wallet until just a few years ago. I've saved all kinds of odd stuff throughout the years. I suppose when I'm gone someone will have to rent a dumpster and a front loader and just haul it all away. I have diapers, the first scoop from the formula can, the pregnancy tests, binkies, hospital bracelets and a newspaper from the day each baby was born tucked away in their "baby boxes". Unfortunately, some of my kids have gotten into their boxes so some of the stuff is where it shouldn't be and I'm forgetting whose stuff belongs to who. Did that make sense? Anyhow, I enjoyed your post. Take care.
What a special idea...I know when they opened Carlenes trunk she had saved a pair of my pink 'horn rimmed" glasses. And she was the one who encouraged me to not wear them, trying to keep me from looking like a nerd, I guess. Oh those special memories.
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