Let me preface this post by saying, that I totally stole the title – can you name the classic novel* which this quote is from?
(Bonus points if you can also name the character that wrote it!)
Years ago, when I first left home, I had very few possessions other than the clothes on my back.
It costs a lot of money to set up home for the first time – you just don’t realise it til you do it! There’s all the little things like a broom, a mop, sheets, towels and crockery – let alone the big stuff like furniture, a fridge and washing machine.
So when one of my friends bought new bedroom furniture and passed her old dressing table on to me, I was just thrilled to bits. It meant so much to me.
That was thirty-odd years ago and do you know, to this day whenever I dust my dressing table – even though that old one has long since been replaced – I still think of my old friend. We lost touch a number of years ago, but forever in my mind dressing tables are inextricably linked to her.
My friend never said to me, “REMEMBER ME, WHEN IT YOU SEE”, but as you now know, I still think of her fondly whenever I do.
Today (well, before we packed most of our stuff away ready to move house) I have numerous items around my home, that remind me of various people that have made their mark on my life. For example:
… There’s the fridge magnet which my Dad and stepmum brought back for me, from an overseas holiday;
… And this kitty mug, which belonged to my stepnan;
… Some colourful bunting from a friend;
… And the garnet pendant my grandmother gave me for my 21st birthday.
… My uncle and aunt gave us a stainless steel kettle as an engagement present. We’ve been through half a dozen kettles since then, but our current one is again stainless steel, and yes, it still reminds me of them!
… This funny artist model mannequin from Ikea, reminds me of an old friend of Miss 21. Whenever he would visit he could never resist arranging him into some new weird and wonderful pose! (You can read more about Manny the Mannequin in my post, Decorator Items the Whole Family Will Love).
Items like these are so meaningful. Usually they are given to you (but not always, as Manny the Mannequin shows), and bring fond memories even after many years, particularly if that person is no longer in your life.
I guess I’m a bit of an old sentimental softie at heart!
What is an everyday object that reminds you of a special someone?
* “Remember me when it you see” is from the classic “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott; it was part of the will Amy March wrote, bequeathing her bandbox and patchwork to the family’s servant, Hannah.