Aaaaand I’m lagging behind. The past two days have been hectic. So I thought of something innovative (err..not really). Today’s post will be a combination of the letters ‘K’ and ‘L’ and ‘M’
I’m a number one hoarder. By this I don’t imply compulsive tendencies. It also doesn’t mean that I’m a tight-wad. I like to keep some of my memories tangible in the form of miscellaneous items, however jaded they may be – almost empty perfume bottles, broken bracelets, frayed diaries, a Math book with yellowing pages, remnant crayons from a once lavish colouring-set, coffee mugs, unpaired earrings, keychains, movie tickets, vacation checklists, fountain pens, worn out tee-shirts and sweaters, defunct earphones and wrist watches, shoes I have outgrown and the list goes on. Most of the stuff I’ve mentioned is associated with people I know; these are keepsakes that I’ll cherish forever.
Not everything worth keeping has to be useful
-Cynthia Lord
I have a box full of letters, notes and postcards that I have collected over the years. No electronic mail can match up to receiving handwritten thoughts, confessions, or greetings from your close ones. Opening the box is akin to taking a trip down memory lane.
I have treasured some Inland letters from my great grandmother. Her words fill me with warmth to this day, despite her tiny scrawl running across the pages. They always end with “I miss you”. I used to write back to her excitedly, inquiring about Raja, our German Shepherd. I reminisce walking to the postbox with my grandfather to post my letters.
I have notes from my school mates that I received on the last day of school. Back then, it was a ritual to exchange memo sheets before parting ways. I was happy to be leaving school because I’d been a nobody for the most part (or rather, I felt like one) . I recall the gush of emotions on reading some of those notes. It was unexpected. I hadn’t been invisible to everyone after all.
Amidst the assortment, there are some beautiful yet quirky handmade birthday cards from my best friends and sister. I feel a twinge of nostalgia on revisiting them every now and then. The cards aren’t just about the wishes and greetings, but also about the efforts underlying their very existence. I feel loved.
It’s been a while since I unearthed this box. On a bad day, these written keepsakes have the power to lift my mood.
I’ll write to you. A super-long letter, like in an old-fashioned novel
-Murakami
Seldom will I forget someone who has written me a note. And likewise, I make it a point to write one back.
K, L and M are for Keepsakes, Letters, with Memories attached
My theme for the A-Z Blogging Challenge is ‘The A to Z of some my favourite things’. Stay tuned for more posts, this April!