IT IS ONLY A THING- UNTIL IT IS MY MOTHER'S

After returning from a wonderful trip visiting friends of 66 years, I was unpacking. When it came to my jewelry, I realized a turquoise earring was missing. It was special and represented so many wonderful trips I had shared with my husband. It was a witness to many adventrues and in many photos. It is an earring. And now lost.

What decides the value of something? When younger the stuffed animal left me by the Easter Bunny and forgotten at a roadside rest stop is very dramatic loss. Bunny was security, love, friend. And valuable to me.

When we were younger loss of "treasures" was so much more dramatic, crushing our hearts.

My earring loss is a taste of impermanence. And as we age and contemplate downsizing, knowing going from a family home to a 1 bedroom or studio aparntment , there is no possible way my treasures will go with me. In our 40's we hang on to things, feeling the need to have "stuff". In our 80's-90's we treasure the memories of the item and the stories attached to our adventure together.

Again, I stress sharing the stories that are attached to your special treasues. I know it is Grandmother's bread basket, but do my children realize I treasure it because my Grandmothe,r who was my special love,

got it as a wedding gift, gave it to my mom who gave it to me to use? If not, it's just one more thing to figure out what to do with.

Tell your stories, write your stories, take photos of the items you hold closest to your heart and let them know why. Look around you today. What catches your eye? Why? Answer those simple questions and you have begun your story of a treasure of yours. Your Grandchildren, children, sister, brother will want to know the storries.

My earring jarred me again to share my stories. Looking at the remaining treasure is a reminder to do it now. We all think we have another day, week, month...

Enjoy your memory journey. Your family will thank you.