Many years ago, you can call me this -- a sentimental fool. I tend to keep small things and whatnots to remind me of someone or of a particular event. Tissue paper, candy wrapper, letters, photographs, gifts, anything that can preserve those special memories. It's nice to look back at these keepsakes and recall the things that transpired many years ago.
I had boxes and boxes of memories stored. Physically. Actually, they may be buried somewhere deep inside my brain and anytime I see these boxes, there will be an avalanche of memories.
Sentimental? Yes. Fool? Maybe.
Nowadays, however, I very seldom keep such keepsakes. Or I have very few. Maybe because we can already keep digital repositories of things we hold dear? Could it be that most interactions are digital too? I mean, who still sends snail mails these days? Are they still a thing? Birthday/special occasion greetings are made through social media (thanks to notifications, otherwise, who else remembers?)
Yesterday, as I was dusting off our shelf, I can't help but take a moment to dig into my rusty brain and tap memories represented by these keepsakes.
This shelf is full of memorabilia/souvenirs from special occasions we attended like birthdays, weddings, baby showers, etc., and trip souvenirs from colleagues who traveled on conventions.
It would have been better if it were me who traveled to these places and made memories there but at least these are great display pieces. Honestly, I cannot remember who gave me what anymore. Although, there are only a few colleagues who normally travel on conventions (these are trip incentives for hitting annual sales targets) so I can just say that these came from S.A., T.N., NBS., BM... Arggh, I have not seen them for a long time now, I cannot recall all of their names without struggling.
I am actually thinking if we were to relocate back to Philippines, what am I to do with these? Should I keep them and bring them there? I probably would.
These make great display items. And I may never be able to travel to these places ever, so these are for keeps.
Our brains can just remember only up to some extent. Some memories we keep for the long term, some are easily forgotten, and some need more effort to be remembered.
Sometimes I feel guilty when even if there are pictures or actual souvenirs, I struggle to remember. I am even afraid I will forget. That is why I love to write too. I write journals (especially when I am feeling so down) and my Hive blog is also another way for me to keep memories. These days, I have limited interactions with friends in the outside world. I long for these personal meet-ups and chit-chats too.
One thing I am thankful for this pandemic is the full time and attention that I am able to give to my family, especially my growing children. We are able to make memories that I hope they will remember even as they grow older.
Life is short. Let us keep on making memories. Let us store keepsakes so when the time comes that we need to, we can remember.
