We gather so many possessions in our lifetime don’t we? I’m forever having a sort out, yet I still have many belongings filling the space in my home.
When we lose a loved one, the task of sorting through their belongings can be both comforting and upsetting at the same time.
Many people I meet talk to me about sorting through boxes, cupboards and drawers full of ‘things’, sometimes even a whole house, and feeling daunted by wondering what to do with a lifetime of memories, some of which hold very special meaning for them.
I’ve also heard families, including my own, discussing, ‘who wants what’, because they don’t want to dispose of something. Sometimes this can be large items of furniture, a grandfather clock, an old wall unit or table are just some examples.
I know friends have shared with me their despair at having kept such items, not having anywhere in their own home to store it, leaving it in their garage temporarily, only to see it ruin through damp and dust and then taking it to the local tip, bringing back a part of their grieving.
For many years I lived abroad, so when returning to my birthplace after the passing of a loved one, I had to consider what belonging I wanted to keep as my memory of them. Large items weren’t an option.
That’s when I came upon my idea of my ‘Treasure Chest of Memories.’ The little treasure chest you see in the photograph I bought at one of the cheap $ shops when I lived abroad. Similar boxes are available on line or in local craft shops, but it doesn’t have to be a treasure chest, any box will do.
I started to gather items that for me, bring back so many memories when I hold each one in my hand. Each item is small, I can hold it and it fits in the chest. It’s portable, so I was able to transport it with me when I returned from living abroad. The treasure chest sits on a shelf, from time to time I open it, hold each item, and transport myself back to the times I spent with each of my dearly loved family and friends who have passed on. The items may seem small and insignificant, but the memory is immense and the value is priceless.
Some of my items include the following:-
My dad’s watch, holding it reminds me of the times I held his hand as a child.
A bottle opener my dad used every Christmas to open bottles and cans. Holding this transports me back to many a happy Christmas when we were all together as a family.
Photo key ring, presents I gave to my grandmother from my childhood holidays in Butlin’s. They have a photo of me inside them, my grandmother kept them in her handbag. Looking into each one I am easily able to feel my grandmother’s smile and love.
I have my uncle’s pen and 2 cufflinks with the British Rail logo. The pen immediately brings a picture to my mind of my uncle sitting at his desk doing his paperwork. The cufflinks, they may be small and insignificant, but the railway logo reminds me so much of being on a train and waving out to him as we passed the signal box where he worked. Holding these cufflinks, closing my eyes, I can see him, a young man, leaning out of the signal box window waving at us as we sped past.
I have my grandad’s pen knife, threadbare and blunt, but so many memories, my pet dogs name tag from her collar, initialled handkerchiefs, and other small items that will no doubt be added to as my treasure chest of memories grows.
They may be small items that may have otherwise found their way to the tip or charity shop or even the rubbish bag, but for me they are treasured items that I love to hold and reminisce.
Why not create your own box of memories, I can’t stress enough the pleasure and comfort mine brings me.
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