Special Memories That We Get To Keep


Long, long ago in a land right here where I still live today, I was a tiny person. I have proof. There is a picture of tiny Me in this little blue outfit. There are also pictures with my frog (which I love with all my heart) and my baby rattle. And there are notes in my baby book of when I received them, so these are such special memories that I get to keep.


All my life I remember my mom carrying this tiny pocket knife in her purse. She might change bags for the seasons or get a new wallet, but this super-sharp little knife went everywhere she did. And now it's a special memory that I get to keep.


Mom was also an expert crafter, making everything from clothes to home decor to gifts just for me. She created dozens of these tennis shoes, some in our school colors and some in my favorite shade of purple. She would chain two of them together for hanging, and others would sit and decorate a locker or bedroom shelf. The ones I have are special memories that I get to keep.


I was brave enough one year to have a clown-themed birthday party. I may not have the clown bank or cake topper or shelf-sitters anymore (thank goodness), but I still have this basket that she made me with plastic canvas. It's always been a storage piece in my craft room to be both useful and a tribute to her and her crafting talent. It's still a special memory I get to keep.


For my entire growing-up years, these four pieces were on the telephone desk in the dining room. The giant paper clip was literally filled with notes we didn't want to forget and needed right there by the phone. The ladybug clip always had some phone numbers or a to-do list in it, and the magnifying glasses were in that middle drawer where we could reach them easily. And now they're in my office supplies collection as a special memory that I get to keep.


And the shelf across the dining room from that desk was packed with joke books. Some of them were from my mom's childhood, while others I added along the way. I assure you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I still have each and every one of them memorized. Read them that many times for 20 years. And today they're in my collection and a special memory that I get to keep.

What special memories do you have that make you smile? Pull some of them out today, think of me, and help me remember my mom in a special way.

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