I’ve been unpacking boxes of Mama’s stuff that I wanted to keep and go through (that we had to move out of their home when we moved someone else in)….but only one per day, because really, that’s about all I can handle.
I had kept putting stuff in a tote, tiny things that didn’t belong anywhere else…photographs, scraps of paper, notes, crocheted flowers, a bottle of Youth Dew that still had enough wafting scent to remind me of my mama when she got all dressed up to go out.
So today, when I looked for the next box to open, and remember, I spied the tote. Maybe today was the day to go through those things.
I was wrong. Today wasn’t the day, but when my hands felt the smooth, cool wooden handle deep down in the tote, I knew this was the one memory I could pull out and keep on display, and maybe with a little repair, it could even bring new memories to a certain 9-year-old.
I am betting Mama carved this sling shot, or maybe one of her brothers did. Of course, she could have bought it at one of the yard sales she loved so much, but I’m gonna go with the small tree that I’m sure was cut down from their yard, a branch carved out and presented like the gift it was to my mama where she stretched a rubber band over the notches and perfected her aim, protecting herself and hurting others as needed. She told stories of popping mean brothers that were hiding on the porch or roof or out in the barn, ready to scare a little sister.
But she had good aim, and didn’t take anything from any of them.
And now, I will show Tater how to aim. How to pull the rubber band just so and hold it at the right level, snapping the band at the moment she’s ready.
And mama will be watching….making she we’re doing it right.
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Thanks for reading my words….I truly appreciate it and read every comment ❤
Lipstick, Margaritas and Hairspray 
I get goosebumps every time I find something in a box of treasures. Right when I need to connect with my beloved Mama the most I’ll see something with her handwriting. I particularly love when I’m reading one of her favourite books and a note will slip out of thoughts she has while reading, or adding to the characters story line. Oh how I miss her! Thank you Sasha for sharing your memories. ❤️
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Jeanine ~ Yes, those unsuspecting memories come cascading down and really get ya….much love to you!
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Love the slingshot! What a great memory to pass down ❤
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Michelle ~ Thanks so much!
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My Mommy passed July 29, 2008. Going through her stuff was hard. My thoughts are with you. 😔
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I really love reading about everyone’s beautiful memories – they are one thing that nobody can ever take away from you. Reading these comments makes me wish that my mother and I had had a better relationship. Her final act on this earth was to hang up the phone on me but she was my mother so I always had respect for her. I was an only child so it was up to me to make sure she was taken care of. I used to tell my girlfriend that if something ever happened to my mother, I wasn’t sure I would even shed one tear and she said yes you will – you’ll cry because you’ll think about how much you wished things were different between the two of you – she was so right. I do have a few of her things, one being a family bible that’s been passed down from generation to generation, and it contains handwritten entries from my great grandmother about family births and deaths, along with papers nestled between the pages noting birth announcements, obituaries, etc. so that is something I will always treasure. Thank you, Sasha, for sharing your beautiful stories with us – they are so special.
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Duane ~ I’m so sorry the relationship was so bad, but the memories you have sound like you’ve made peace with that.
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Thanks, Sasha – it’s all good. She’s been gone over 6 years now so I’ve had time to process all of it.
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❤
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Such wonderful memories. When I went through my mother’s things I found the receipt from the hospital when I was born. It was like $59. Can you believe that? I also found the handwritten formula directions from the doctor.
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What a wonderful memory
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So happy to hear you’re finding reasons to smile as you go through your sweet mama’s things. Those boxes will bring lots of tears, but hopefully you’ll find more smiles in there too. As for her Youth Dew scent….I still have one of my mom’s favorite sweaters that I placed in a ziploc bag and keep tightly sealed. Every now and again I’ll unzip it just a tiny bit and enjoy the scent of her one more time. I miss her so…. Sending hugs to you.
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Love those sentimental journeys 😍
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❤
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Taking sentimental journeys are good for the soul but you have to be ready for those journeys. Sounds like this was a good one for you. I took many of those journeys after my husband passed and it took a long time. The person may be gone but no one can steal your memories, they have become your treasures.
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When my mom died I had an awful time letting much of anything go. That’s been 36 years ago and the stack of “stuff” has been pared down to the most meaningful. I have her monogrammed compact on my dressing table and touch it as a way of saying, “I love you Mommy”.
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I was forced to clean out after a year Donna, and truly I think it helped. But that’s why I have several boxes…there was stuff I didn’t have time to go thru THEN and wanted to keep and look thru later. And there you have the totes…. 🙂 I have Mama’s bible and her handkerchief on my dressing table….
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Love reading your words … they always cheer me up when I need it … I still have so much of my Mother’s things and when my eye catches something of hers the warm feeling goes thru me …. I can honestly say , “I am my Mother after all ” keep putting the smile on all of our faces !!!
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Nancy ~ it’s those kinds of memories I love the most….
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Ahhh…. A Mother’s Love is Everlasting ♥♥♥
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yes it is!
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My Mom passed away over 25 years ago and so most of her things stated with Pa. When he passed away about 10 years ago, it was funny and sad as my siblings and I went through all of their stuff. My Mom had two cookbooks she always referred to – the green one and the red one. My sister and I looked at them and we said the color of the one we wanted (we didn’t pick the same color). I can’t tell you even now what the titles are, but I used the green one at least once a month and refer to her notes in the margins. I have also found slips of paper in it with other recipes too. It is one way of bringing my Mom into my kitchen every once in awhile. Same goes for my Grandma (my Mom’s mom) cause I have lots of handwritten recipes she gave me after my Mom passed.
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Nancy ~ Big, hardback, cream colored pages cook books, right? That’s what Mama had!
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When I went though momma’s things, I found several old cookbooks also w/little notes in them, one was my great granny’s. Old love letters from daddy to her when he was in the army, his little bible that they gave the boys that was in the army. A bunch of other things.
❤.
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Marsha ~ The little notes are really cool…mama was a gardner and crafter and loved flowers, so there are notes everywhere!
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Reminds me of going through my mom’s cookbooks. I would find notes and recipes with her cryptic notes alongside. Treasure your moms while you’ve got them, folks.
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I am lucky enough to still have my Mom on this Earth. Her body may be giving out(she’s 85)but she still has a sharp mind and I can sit and listen to her stories for hours. She has lived a genuine life and I am so happy she’s still here to hold and to love!
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So happy to hear that!
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Oh Susan ~ I found 2 cookbooks that I kept, with notes in the side, and little slips of paper….yep. Also found several notebooks with handwriting I could hardly read but knew was hers.
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