Little tokens that have treasure status for me are strewn around my home. Mostly they are small things given to me by family and friends who have gone on to a what is hopefully a better existence. Some are objects of beauty but most are simple things that I would likely never purchase. All are immeasurably valuable to me because they hold the ability to bring back the wonderful memories that were shared with their donor.
My dining table is centered today with a pottery bowl. Fourteen hyacinth bulbs are sprouting in it and soon their fragrance will fill the room. As a child this bowl was the potatoe bowl. It was the vessel that held potatoes for every meal served in my grandmothers home. Mashed, baked, fried, shredded....it didnt matter they came to the table in that bowl. It never held anything else. When I glimpse it the memories of meals with family and friends come rolling back for me.
On a night stand in my bedroom sits grampas' pipe. The well worn mouth piece bearing his tooth marks. Seeing it brings back the tantalizing scent of the aromatic tobacco he smoked and also reminds me of the many times in his last years that he '....set me self afire agin.' with that smodering instrument.
A pair of spats that my father wore rest near grampas pipe. They are a reminder of the dapper dresser he was. Long out of fashion by the time I came along they draw me into memories of the stories he would tell about his younger years. The bring to mind the pictures of him standing beside his 1930s car posed with pride, one foot on the running board displaying those very spats.
An old and dented very tarnished, some would say patinaed, brass jardinier. It once held african violets in the two room home our neighbor lady lived in. Its presence takes me to the many hours I spent in her home eating Dares Vanilla Wafers and savoring the warmth from her wood stove while finding solace through thos struggling trials of being a teen.
A box made of brass and beveled glass sits in my living room. Moe, my friend, always kept it filled with little multi colored pastel candies. It still does its job today holding those same candies. It has an added purpose of reminding not only me of him. It always starts a conversation with our mutual friends. We reminisce and laugh and repeat teh silly stories that were so much a part of him.
When I wear a tie, something I avoid if possible, it is often pierced with needle like gold shaft that supports a tiny torquoise stone surrounded by a question mark. In its original form it was a promise ring given to my mother by a suitor. She never wore it after she met my father. He resented that ring so he took it and had it made into a tie tack. Lots of symbolism there!
In my china cabinet are a pair of white childs moccassins. A special treasure to me bcause they where part of my apparel the day my adoptive parents brought me home. Fifty some years later when I met my birth mother her eyes filled wiht tears when she saw them and told me she had placed them on my tiny feet all those years ago.
Yes....simple things, small insignificant on their own merit but gigantically endowed with memories. Tangible items that are witness and possessor of the intangible memories inherent in them. Valueless objects for the most part but equally priceless treasure.
What are yours? What things are the possessor of your sweet memories?
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botoni posted on Mar 25, 2007
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Comments
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kruuyai said on Mar 25, 2007....
I never used to get rid of anything that was given me, regardless of whether I liked it or not. Just the fact that someone had given it to me made it valuable to me. I even saved two clover flowers that my first boyfriend picked for me out of my own backyard and handed to me, saying, "There... don't say I never gave you anything. " But, when I moved to Mexico 5 years ago, I got rid of pretty much everything I owned, including all those little mementos. I try not to think of what they were. It's easier not to miss them that way. -
missunderstood1162 said on Mar 25, 2007....
yummy post...tagging and coming back...hugs botoni -
secretlife said on Mar 25, 2007....
before my oldest daughter was born, my house was robbed.i had so many collections then...my mother loved to shop and love trinkets.....i had a diamond necklace that my parents gave to me upon graduation from college....that can never be replaced...it really cannot.now, my most prized possessions are my photograph books.they hold all of my most precious memories....and next to my bed, there is a small table with a few other trinkets-- a jar of golden shells collected from the beach across from dad's condo...the beach he loved. a doily and a potholder that my middle daughter made for me with her weaving kit. a picture of my son wearing his first suit on the day of his first holy communion....next to a poem he wrote me in the first grade....a couple a poems written by my oldest and framed in a picture of her sitting next to my parents on her 2nd bday...and one other picture there of my mom, dad, sisters, brother...their spouses..all dressed up for a wedding back in 1985...before anything bad happened to us. someday i will post about that photograph, but it is a dear treasure to me. -
skald said on Mar 25, 2007....
I understand so well what you are talking about. I am the same. I treasure things by given to me by loved ones and friends. -
silverwhisper said on Mar 25, 2007....
apart from antique furniture, there are a number of items around our home are mementos, such as the time capsule from our wedding. :>
ed -
Lioness said on Mar 26, 2007....
Nice post botoni..
The mementoes currently in my possession are my mother's diary, prayer book and bible, as well as a pendant. -
mom said on Mar 26, 2007....
Botoni- I just loved this post and how you described things. I have very little that belonged to my parents. I have my fathers bible and a few nicknacks that belonged to my mother. Most of my possessions are from my children. I keep scrapbooks and I kept a scrap book for each child of cards and things they made all while they were growing up. When they turned 18 I gave them each their scrap book. I have a cabinet of trinkets and things my children have given me through the years. I also have tubs filled with other things.How you have your house is what makes a house a home. I have seen houses decorated by a professional decorator and although they were beautiful there was always something lacking. Then I might see a house that iss filled with pictures of family and different things laying around that you could tell had sentimental value and there was always a warmth that the home exudes. It is those homes where you feel the most comfortable. -
Alyss said on Mar 26, 2007....
I have various nicknacks that are scattered around the house but I think the one thing that would break my heart to lose is the single picture of my family, that's my mum, dad, brother, sister and me. It's the only picture of us all together and was taken the year before Dad died. -
mommyof2 said on Mar 26, 2007....
I would have to say my photos, you can barely seewhat color the walls are for they are covered withmemories..... -
Zayda said on Mar 26, 2007....
I have piece of antique furniture that were each of my grandmother's. Those are some of my favorite pieces of furniture. The antique sideboard needs a good refinishing, which I might do this summer.
I have the pearl bracelet my parents gave me when I graduated from college and the diamond earrings they gave me when I graduated with my Master's degree.
I also have the memory box from my wedding which is filled with mementos from the wedding including the antique champagne glasses we used for our toast. I have dozens of photos stored in photobooks and on my computer. And then there is the memory box and book from my son's birth. All of those things are important to me.
My most prized possession, however, is a set of gold nugget earrings that I wrote about in an earlier blog entry. They belonged to my dad's late sister and her husband gave them to my parents to give to me right before I got married. -
missunderstood1162 said on Mar 26, 2007....
Dearest Bot..you are such a sweet soul. I love this post. I have some cool stuff from my grandma's......an old glass pair of pink flamingos....(oh I know they are just to die for! I'll take some pics) a plate that says "This is my house and I'll do what I damn well please" from my grandma on the other side.....just really great stuff that reminds me so much of being at their homes. A jar of old buttons from my great grandma Reba....
When my Grandma Evelyn died last August I got the jewelry of hers that was amethyst since that is my birthstone.
As well we have things around our home that we have collected here and there. Boxes with hinged lids that when the grandkids open them are full of goodies! Shells, buttons, old coins......doilies from my great grandma.....old glass jars on a window sill..., an old old radio that was my husband's grandfathers. An old top to an old telephone booth that says "TELEPHONE" on it. It used to light up. Just some really interesting things. I want my grandkids to come to my house and remember it as an adventure. Of not really knowing what they will find....but always finding some of the same things every time. Treasures.
I love this post!
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botoni said on Mar 26, 2007....
Kruuyai .....I m sorry your mementos are gone. I hope the memories stay alive though.
Secret.....what a terrible sense of violation comes with a robbery! How said that you lost such treasurers. I notice in your comment that some of the things that hold memories (the sea shells) have taken on a wonderful value. I once helped friends clear out their parents home. One of the collections that they almost fought over was their mothers collection of cocktail stir sticks from all the places she had been for a drink.....hehehe
Skald....they are SO precious.
Silver.....antique furniture!....ohhhh we gotta compare notes!
mom......scrapbooks can be the catalyst that pulls up unbelievable memories! I agree home is the personal touches, the things that have significance to you and yours.
Alyss.....wonderful treasure....I suggest you get it copied and keep the copy somewhere else.....just incase.
Mommyof2....I ve done that in a couple homes....and will in this one.....we call it the Rogues Gallery!
Zayda.....those gold earings are worth much much more than their weight in gold. What a beautiful story and wonderfully told. I too have a couple pieces of Grandmas furniture that I specially treasure.
MissUndies............PINK FLAMINGOS!....when I come a callin you best be gaurding those! Your home sounds like a treasure trove for the grandkids. You re such a thinker! -
missunderstood1162 said on Mar 27, 2007....
Missundies....lmao...now THAT was funny.....today I am missing some....lololol......heeheheheh don't ask. I laughed and laughed!I knew you would flip ove the flamingos....hey there could be a story written. I promise to photograph soon. They are soooooooo cool. I have seen them in antique stores for a jillion pesos!I want the grandkids to get together after I'm cold in the grave and say "remember how great it was at Grandma's house? All that cool stuff" while my little granddaughter reaches up and touches the amethyst around her neck.By the way I have YEARS worth of my grandma's diaries in my possesion. She passed away last August and I have about 25 Diaries. I know...can you imagine? -
botoni said on Mar 27, 2007....
Missundies it is from now on!.....OH grannies diaries! I hope she got bold and told some of the HOT stuff! -
mom said on Mar 27, 2007....
I don't want my grandkids at my house. They are evil, evil I tell you. I try to keep the little peckers away. They know where I keep my stash of goodies and they are always asking for some. -
botoni said on Mar 27, 2007....
LOL mom!!!!......YOu might try something I did when I was about 10 years old. My mom loved chocolate. It seemed impossible to have a whole chocolate bar to myself. I was always forced to share them. (not actually a bad lesson but one I resented) At a family gathering I used my allowance to buy a large Jersey Milk bar and dutifully shared with everyone. When mom got her share it was actually a couple pieces of Exlax. Honest I didnt know she was allergic to the stuff. Honest!......I think, maybe.....and just maybe, I ve finally been forgiven........I was an evil little devil! -
missunderstood1162 said on Mar 27, 2007....
omg mom I am laughing my butt off.......little peckers....hahahahahahaah
mine haven't reached that stage yet....I saw two of my little darlings today and I got tons of kisses and hugs and lovin.....so so so sweet.
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mom said on Mar 27, 2007....
Bot- lol ex-lax. I have a story about exlax that maybe I will post sometime. Well, did she learn to let you have something all to yourself after that for fear of facing the wrath of Bot? :)Miss- Actually that was not real true. One of the ones we don't look forward to seeing is one that is a real brat. She is demanding and spoiled and has no respect for her elders. I don't get kisses and hugs from her very often and even then I want ot wrap my hands around her dainty little neck. LOL I took her to the store with me once, she wanted something and I said "No". Well she laid down in the aisle and proceeded to pitch a fit, normally her mom would go back and pick her up and talk baby talk to her and soothe her, not me, if you want to lay in the aisle and act like a brat, then go ahead. I just said, "Goodbye" and continued walking. She finally got up and came with me.When my son and his wife got divorced, she decided to use the boy as a way to get back at us. I don't get to see him cause of the stupid, shithole, bitch whore, cocksucking slut. :)My other grand child lives in Kansas and I adore her. She is just like me, an ornerylittle cuss, and cute. She would be the kind that will smile and pinch ya at the same time. Except Grandma pinches back. :) I just adore her.
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