I have an old metal tin, which I’ve used since childhood to hold many of my keepsakes: my lost teeth, photos of puppies, gumball machine rings, Girl Scout badges, and a ballerina necklace. This old tin also holds something special from my grandpa, an old square dancing belt buckle.
It is amazing how many memories can be evoked from the discovery of just one object.
Finding this belt buckle brought back more than just a memory of how much my grandma and grandpa enjoyed square dancing together. I was reminded how I loved to go and visit them at their house in San Francisco, how excited I was when they let my brothers and I “paint” their garage with paint cans filled with water, and how much fun we had playing Yahtzee at their dining room table. I remember the sleepovers, hunting for Easter Eggs, taking the bus to go shopping, and even the sound of their voices cheering for the San Francisco Giants as we listened to the game on the radio.
Most importantly, I remember the love I felt from them, my love for them (then and now), and their kindness toward each other, and to all of us.
Now, as a parent, it warms my heart to watch the bond between our children and their grandparents grow. They may not understand how fortunate they are to have these relationships now, but, when they are older, I hope that they look back at this time in their lives with fondness, just as I am doing now.
In these moments, I miss my grandparents, immensely. I am grateful that I have so many wonderful memories of my time with them.
Thank you, grandma and grandpa!
keep opening doors 