I Collect Joyful Memories. I Do Not Collect Stamps.

I am genuinely sentimental and sometimes fear I may become a hoarder. In my defense, though, my children…

My children.

Parting with their school work, crafts, clothing…let’s say, it’s been a challenge. Nonetheless, I am winning the challenge on the clothes side, as two weeks ago, I packed an enormous bag of their rarely worn clothes and shipped it off to their cousin.

In full disclosure and part of being my authentic self, this is the point where I would like to say:

I held back on pieces that were too personal to detach from. There, I said it.

The pieces I retained included the first suits they wore, the clothing they were consecrated in, and other collectibles I could easily find a happy memory of when they were in that item of clothing.

For one, my eldest often wore a red sweater/vest with his black and white shoes. And my youngest had a pair of particular green pants he often wore with his signature brown shoes.

Even writing this article and picturing their little selves in their respective clothing makes me smile. I am a creator and collector of beautiful, happy memories and smiles.

Admittedly, my collection may be strange compared to others who are into rare stamps and buttons. Nonetheless, I am happy with my stash. I’ve never been into stamp collections but had a colleague who did. Also, I’ve found some rare buttons at the store and beautiful stones at the beach that I’ve collected.

Still, neither of these treasures comes close to my chase and pursuit of happy memories and an accompanying picture to punctuate said memory.

On creating memories

I am also big on celebrating and remembering special occasions. Birthdays are a big deal for and with me. These special occasions and events are where I shine and go all in or out. Events, special or every day, are my way of creating beautiful memories and taking pictures that retell the tales of a day — a time when someone smiled and the moment that face was captured.

As a mom, I have sought to create memories for my children. I hope they will grow up to remember and appreciate my efforts.

I have sought to create for them what I did not experience in my childhood, including pictures with my parents, family vacations, and birthday celebrations.

So, my rare collection is creating happy, beautiful memories with my family.

Granted, I take family pictures constantly, whether members are awake or asleep. Again, I am building those beautiful memories that have become my collectibles in memory and visual copies.

This may be one reason my husband recently gifted me a phone with quite a sizeable gigabyte to help alleviate my running out-of-space issue.

Ah, such a thoughtful soul. I love him.

After all, it is he with whom I have created some of my best, dearest, and most precious memories.