Part of the combining two families process is going through the stuff you have accumulated over the years. I did this last week, looking through five folders worth of letters, certificates, pictures, awards, etc. The process itself wasn’t difficult in deciding what I wanted to keep and what could be laid to rest in File 13 what I found to be difficult was the dealing with the emotions that resurface when you came across letters from your kids. They brought to mind many painful memories of a difficult time, many joyous memories of their many successes, and many memories of times when times were much simpler. One of the letters was probably responsible for keeping me from doing something stupid during the lowest time of my life. It still brings tears to my eyes (I know, the ol’ Frustrated can be a sentimental sap at times) but more than that it reminds me of how far I’ve been blessed to come since then and how blessed I am now with four children who are independent in spirit, fearless in tackling life experiences, and who have been for the most part, extremely forgiving.
I reread the letters from their foreign journeys and smiled again as they described new experiences in distant cultures. Places I’ve never been and most likely will never go came alive in their descriptions.
Amongst the treasures I have found some pictures they drew I also found a few old pictures of them from school years along with drama production programs and award programs. While I trimmed my five folders down to two, I believe they hold some of my greatest wealth in this world; memories of them growing up and pride in what they have accomplished.
It is one thing to sort through dishes and knick-knacks, but the sorting of one’s treasures and memories is perhaps the best part of closing out another chapter in your life. The letters and treasures remind me of the true meaning of our lives in this world.
