Of course, chances of ever finding a real treasure chest are nearly non- existent, however our "treasures" are not necessarily made of gold and shining jewels.
I remember as a child having a special place that I kept my treasures I didn't have a beautiful box, it may have been as simple as a shoe box but it held things that were dear to me. It may have been my favorite troll doll, or a coin I found in the parking lot of the store and I just knew would bring me good fortune. I am certain there were pieces of broken jewelry that would never again be worn but couldn't be parted with. I know there were stones, stones that I thought to be the most beautiful from our driveway.
I began thinking of our "little treasures" when I was cleaning and there were several small pieces of candies and a small rubber bouncy ball with a smiley face on the counter top left from Cam's birthday bag goodies. When asked if he wanted any of it , he swiftly replied "I want the bouncy ball" He picked it up and waled away and I smiled. My boy who wanted an I Pod touch for his birthday treasured this little bouncing ball. I knew instantly as he walked away where it was going- the treasure box !
Looking inside ones treasures gives us a glimpse of what that person may be like, what they cherish, what simple things hold special meaning to them. Looking into my 10 year old sons box I see shells that we gathered on the beach this summer on vacation, an orange pumpkin whoopee cushion, oodles if silly bands,his official autograph book that he got when we took him to Disney 4 years ago, Wow the Hawaiian Leigh he got at the Luau when we were in Hawaii when he was 3, His first leather carving from Boy Scouts, A Buckeye, Bible buddies from VBS, A Hockey puck from a game his dad took him to, Postcards from his big brother from all over the world, Many tiny trinkets, Tender from various countries given to him also by his brother, trading cards, acorns from walks in the park, and there in the bottom are rocks that he too thinks are beautiful!.
What can I tell about Cameron simply from this glimpse into his "treasures" ? I can tell he is sentimental, he is adventurous, family and family time are important, most of what he has saved has a memory attached to it for him. I know that this chest will set in his room until he leaves for college and if he is anything like his older siblings, when he leaves for college he will say "I don't want to take this with me BUT I want to keep it" and it will go into the basement where ALL the "PLEASE DON'T THROW AWAY STUFF" goes.
Why do we save things that are of no worth to others? Why is that plastic glow in the dark dinosaur at the bottom of his chest important? It isn't, but the memory that is stirred for him when he picks it up years from now will define why it has an honored place in the treasure chest.
Hold on to the small things in life that give you pleasure. Get a box where you can keep small things that you can pull out on days that you need to feel warm moments, silly smiles, or cherished memories.
Cameron's Treasure Chest and all of it's contents
1 comment:
The largest (treasure) I have are special cards from my children and spouce. I also have a special drawer that I keep "special Sister Days" in.
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