A trip down memory lane
May 30th, 2006 by Accidental Thinker
My parents are the best. Over the years, they have saved practically everything of importance from my childhood. I have long known of the existence of a "box" where these items were stored, and yesterday, I finally got my hands on it. That box of treasures contains old school photos, report cards (some of which might be better forgotten), a plethora of awards and related newspaper clippings, letters I wrote home from summer camp, and many other items and trinkets that all brought back wonderful memories as I dug through.
One of the best finds was a book that was a favorite for my dad to read to me as a kid, titled "Big Max." Big Max was a quirky but observant detective who traveled by umbrella, and he was on a mission to help the King of Pooka Pooka find his missing elephant. The thing I always loved best about this particular book, however, wasn’t the story. It was the way my dad inimitably rolled the phrase "Pooka Pooka" off his tongue in his thick Spanish accent. I was captivated, making him the only person who could ever read it to my liking.
Equally riveting, for me, were the preserved elementary school photos. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade class pictures have survived the years, and it was a thrilling blast from the past to see familiar faces both long forgotten and recently reacquainted. There is so much possibility reflected in each and every one of those eager young faces! And my husband observed that Maia poses for the camera in the same tilt-headed posture that I had adopted for the 2nd grade picture, in particular. As it so happens, she is about the same age now that I was in that picture, which pleased her to no end.
I love memories like this, and they are exactly the kind of memories that I want to preserve for my own kids. They are going to be the delighted recipients of boxes of their own some day.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for the compliment!
My parents created a “Stuff Box” for each of the 5 kids in my family, filled with those same things- the school pictures, awards, concert programs, honor roll certificates, etc. It’s a tradition I will continue should I have a family someday. I think it’s a spectacular idea.
An excellent gift! Good for you. We have “envelopes” going for our grandkids. Unfortunately, our own kids’ boxes were destroyed in the fire. Not a good day, but we can still reminisce.
Your kids are going to love you!
Those memories, no- those treasures, become even precious as time passes. Your daughter may write the very same post one day, Monique. 😉
With the four, we have boxes and boxes of keep-sakes! Drives the BH mad that I insist upon keeping everything, but it’s good to hear people enjoy it years later :o)
Those are, indeed, some of the best memories and keepsakes. My mom gave me what she kept from my childhood a few years ago and I treasure each one. I’m glad your parents did the same for you 🙂
I recently looked at my 1,2, and 3 grade class photos. I don’t hardly remember anybody. Of course that was a long, long, long time ago. lol
I love to see my writing from when I was little. It is such a kick to see cards I made and notes I wrote.
How fun to go through your box of childhood memories.
My parents still have mine, but I have looked through it a couple of times.
My 3rd grade picture is hilarious!
We’ve been trying our best to do the same thing because I remember what a joy it was to see some of my stuff from the early years.
It’s great that you’re doing such a good job of it.
We did this for both of our sons and found frames that held each school picture from each grade K-12, with the one in the center as the CENTER (and largest one). But we didn’t give it to them until their 21st. birthdays. The problem with any gift like this, is that if you do it for the first one, you BETTER remember to do it for all the rest of the kids,(or) there will be jealousy issues!
I’m glad other people have boxes for such things. I was keeping scrapbooks for my kids, and got behind, so I just throw them in a box. All my childhood stuff was lost in a house fire.
My daughter is almost 22 and loves going through the boxes of her old stuff…and especially watching old home videos!
How I wish I had kept more of my children’s things. This little box is a wonderful idea and gift. You are so fortunate to have it and to be able to share it with your children.