IT'S NOT "JUST STUFF"

How many times have I heard someone say, "Well, it's all "just stuff", as in "only" stuff???

Well, I beg to differ... It's not "just stuff", in fact it's way more than "stuff". Our houses are full of things that other's might call "stuff", but to us are priceless treasures because of what they represent, the memories they invoke, the feelings that they awaken inside of us. They are not "just stuff". Because they make us happy, remind us of where we came from, who we are and maybe even who or what we would like to become, if they were lost, or destroyed, as they can be and sometimes are, we would feel a great loss, because many of them cannot be replaced. Yes, we may still be able to remember them, or the place, person or event that made them special to us, but over time the memories may dim and we might miss the "stuff", wishing we had it back again to help us remember.

Here's some of our "stuff" - not all of it by a long stretch, but then, this blog is not big enough for all of it. In no particular order of importance, because they are all important. Some of it is on display in our home. Some of it is kept in closets. Some of it is in special boxes that we keep this kind of stuff in so that from time to time we can pull it out and remember:

The Jade Grizzly reminds me of the Canadian Rockies and the many wonderfull times I spent there as a child and an adult, and of the times and feelings I had when I actually saw a live grizzly in the wild.



The glass disc reminds me of our year in Venezuela. It wasn't ALL bad. In fact there was probably more good than bad.



The antique clock that belonged to the old woman that grammy shared a room with for 7 years while she was growing up, and learned to tell time on. Oh, the memories this one holds!



Magic kalaidescope, complete with letter from Papa.



The baseball glove that I keep around even though I never played much, but keep just in case the grandson's (OK, and daughters) might want to play catch with Papa when they come to visit.



Lakes Moraine and Louise - two of the most beautiful places on earth. Filled with memories.



The stupid horn your Dad brought you home from his trip to Portobello Road in London.



Smiley Face lamp, Canadian Flag, stuffed animals, hope chest...... the list goes on.



Quite possibly our most memorable family vacation - Summer 1994.



To remember that we were once little and someone loved us enough to present us to the world in the very best. These are Grammy's baby booties.



A dresser full of "stuff" - every piece meaningful!



Reminder of vacations at the shore:



The friendship bracelets my daughters made for me. Yes, I kept them all these years.



And who wouldn't want and cherish a "Flagon with a Dragon".



Family pictures.





Many of these things were given as gifts. Some were purchased as souvenirs and remembrances of trips and special occaisions. Some were inherited. Some were just picked up along the way. All are special to us.

"Just Stuff"???? I think not!!!!!!

I'm sure you all have your own stuff. Treasure it!