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When my mother was expecting me, my grandmother lovingly crafted a cross-stitched blanket to welcome me into the world. From the moment I was born, it became my most cherished possession. I affectionately named it my “white one,” and it accompanied me everywhere. Over the years, it endured a lot—tattered and frayed, it became a bit of a disaster. Eventually, I outgrew it and assumed my mother had discarded it.
Fast forward to when I was expecting my first child, and my mother surprised me by presenting the white one. I was shocked she still had it, as I had completely forgotten about it. After being stored away for two decades, the memories came rushing back. Its condition was worse than I remembered, yet it felt so familiar in my hands. A wave of warmth filled me, reminiscent of my childhood. Tears welled up in my eyes as I thanked my mother for preserving it. She could have easily thrown it away, but she recognized its sentimental value and knew I’d appreciate it someday—she was right.
My mother has an incredible talent for recognizing what’s truly significant. Growing up with three brothers, our home was filled with countless toys, clothes, and school projects that cycled in and out. If we showed particular affection for something, she would carefully tuck it away, often without us even realizing.
When my daughter was born, my mother gifted her Sherry Amelda, my beloved Cabbage Patch Kid. With her bright orange pigtails and lingering baby powder scent, I immediately placed her in the nursery. Now, at five years old, my daughter treasures Sherry Amelda, serving as a beautiful reminder of my childhood love for that doll and the bond I share with my daughter—an incredible full circle moment after 37 years.
But it wasn’t just toys; my mother was on the lookout for other meaningful keepsakes. I fondly remember the first pair of Guess Jeans I owned in seventh grade—an extravagant treat for which my mother made sacrifices. After I outgrew them, they were tossed aside amidst my grunge phase, but my mother thoughtfully salvaged them. Now, my daughter will don those classic jeans during spirit week, much to her teachers’ amazement.
My Barbie Dream House, old Girl Scout uniform, and my first pair of tap shoes are still in her basement. She also saved G.I. Joe figures, Care Bears, and even some vintage Umbro shorts. Old report cards, school projects, and college acceptance letters are all there too. While it may just be “stuff,” it holds a deep emotional resonance. Beyond nostalgia, it embodies a mother’s love. She understood us well and had a strong intuition that we would want to revisit some pieces of our childhood one day. I strive to emulate that same behavior.
I tend to hold onto everything, but as my children grow older, it’s become easier to part with items that lack significance and focus on what they might cherish in the future. For instance, I have a Mickey Mouse Christmas sweater my son chose after a Disney trip, and it’s a piece I’ll never let go of.
In my kids’ special boxes, there are Thomas the Train shirts and their first pairs of shoes. I’ve even saved monogrammed baby sweaters for any future grandchildren. And that beloved blanket you were embarrassed to be seen with? Don’t worry; it’s safely stowed in a weatherproof tub in the basement. Some things are for me, not them. I can’t bring myself to dispose of any handprint artwork—those memories are etched on my heart. Maybe one day, but not today.
I haven’t yet sorted through the toys for a garage sale of items collecting dust, but I’m already eyeing the treasures I want to keep for my grandchildren to enjoy, just like my kids do with the old Little People sets at my parents’ house. My husband disagrees, but I’m confident my children will appreciate these keepsakes.
As an adult, I’ve come to understand the sentimentality behind these items. Parenting passes in a flash, and all you want is for it to slow down, if only for a moment. By preserving a few mementos from my childhood, my mother is able to relive what she calls the happiest days of her life. I share that sentiment wholeheartedly.
When the time comes, I’ll let my children decide what stays and what goes. They might not want anything, and that’s perfectly fine. However, I believe I’ve inherited my mother’s ability to recognize what’s truly important, and I’ll do my best to keep a few cherished items here and there.
Perhaps those cowboy boots could come in handy for your son on Western Day at school? Or maybe you’ll want to hold onto that tiny giraffe, feeling its softness and reminiscing about simpler times. When frustration arises, you may need a reminder of your love for your mother, captured in that beautifully crafted card she received from you as a child.
While it may seem trivial, some things hold immense importance. I’m incredibly thankful to my mother for safeguarding these treasures. Even after all these years, certain items remain significant to me. As time passes, I’ll continue to tuck away keepsakes in a safe place for when they’re needed. You never know when a little piece of the past might provide comfort in the present.