Looking back

I was in a very reminiscent mood this passed week. It all started on Wednesday. I don't think I'm finished just yet, but I think I will be soon. The chain of events started with a long conversation with a friend of mine that somehow prefaced a weekend with old friends and familiar faces, which prefaced me going through nearly 15 memory boxes. (I know: I'm a total girl.)

I wish I had put an itemized list in these boxes. I have so many mementos from over the years that I think it's impossible for me to really remember what each one represents. I have everything from Mike's Hard Lemonade bottle caps, to a Sheetz receipt dated and labeled "On the way to Blink show in Columbus," to a note from my sister identifying a mystery caller for me who turned out to be a friend of mine who was serving overseas at the time, to multiple ticket stubs, to a Hall's cough drop wrapper that someone twisted up and gave to me as an "engagement ring." Those are just a few of the items whose symbolism I can actually remember.

The one's I don't are a little more ... out there. A few examples: directions to somewhere (I think maybe IUP, but I don't recognize the handwriting), an empty tube of Hershey's Kisses, an empty 20 oz. bottle of Mountain Dew and a pressed leaf.

I may have to ask some people from that time in my life if they remember. I guarantee they don't. I'm far more sentimental than just about everyone I know. But I refuse to throw any of it away. Each item in these boxes was important to me at one time or another, and I can just toss it out like trash even if I can't remember why they are special.

Most people get sad when they look back on old memories, but for some reason I just sat on my bed in awe of the fun times I had. I am going to combine some of the boxes, pack them up and put them away somewhere with a smile on my face.