Keepsakes are Treasures

Happy New Year! I learned a valuable lesson. As I am clearing out my Christmas decorations, I often use this as an opportunity to refresh my home. Kind of an early spring cleaning to start the new year. I forever kept most of my letters, cards, and other written momentos in several boxes. After moving and unpacking one too many times, at my most recent move in 2012, I decided it was silly to hold on to all this correspondence. Before I could second guess myself, I threw it all out. I figured I had the memories in my head, right? Well when my husband passed, I discovered I didn't have a single card left from him. He was too sick in 2013 to even think about such a thing. When I realized what I had done, I was kind of distraught. Cards meant so much to my husband and he always said cards were better than a gift. He spent so much time picking out the card with the right sentiment. Fast forward to New Year's Eve. Last night as I was packing up Christmas decorations, I discovered a pile of old Christmas cards in with a box of wrapping paper. I took the time to look through the cards and was thrilled to discover some cards from my husband to me. Since our anniversary is December 30, there were even a couple anniversary cards. These are now in a safe place. It means so much to see his handwriting and written expressions of love.

My daughter had carried the last letter her father wrote to her in her purse. Last year on New Year's Eve she called me from Nashville and said she had gotten a tattoo. I often vascillate between whether I think tattoos are tacky or tasteful. I often lean toward the tacky view of tats. Once while in an airport, I overheard a cell phone conversation that was not so private. The woman was inquiring about a prospective guy. She proceeded to ask, "does he have any ink?". I thought to myself "gee, what criteria in vetting a prospective date"! Yet in yoga class, while in the downward dog position, I would often view the feet of fellow yogis and at times yearn for a tattoo on the top of my foot. I seriously considered it and was going to get one with a friend. The friend ended up getting hers without me. After viewing hers, I decided against mine. Okay, I digress. Back to my daugher's tattoo. I admit I am biased, but hers has special meaning and got my seal of approval. It is the last line from her father's letter in his handwriting. I guess she literally wears her heart on her sleeve. Thankfully she kept that momento.

Moral of the story, be careful when we get the urge to purge. Sometimes a little clutter is what warms the soul.