When I was a kid, I heard the story of the Littlest Angel, which I am pleased to see is still in print. Even though I am no longer religious, the underlying message of the story still applies to my life today. The story is basically thus: a little boy angel in heaven needs to come up with a gift for the birth of Jesus. He struggles and struggles, since all of the angels are making a really big deal out of this, and then remembers when he was a little boy on earth he had a box of his favorite treasures. So he goes and gets said box, and presents it to the baby. In it are things like a rock, a feather, and a few other things that I don't remember.
In other words, the box is filled with the most precious things to the little angel that have no monetary value.
Well, I just shipped off my own Littlest Angel Box.
I shipped it to myself in the UK, and it should arrive next week. It's a 10kg (22lb) postal box filled to the brim with things that are so important to me that I would crumble if they went missing. I'm not saying that they will go missing, but I have been through nasty breakups before, and I know what people are capable of doing to each other in the bottom of their blistering heartache. I don't wish to lose these things. I also know that my luggage tomorrow will be packed to the gills, so I want these things to meet me there.
It took me an entire week to think of what to put in my box, but I shipped it off yesterday, creakingly full. There is really nothing of value in the box. I have an uncut emerald that is not in there. Stock certificates. Even Kim's silver box isn't in there, since all of the letters are on the web.
My documents-including birth certificate, passport, diplomas, etc-will be travelling with me, as will the heirloom jewelry I got from my great-grandmother, a wonderful woman that smelled like butter with a heart the size of Montana and who loved me to bits. Other treasures were too big to fit-a blanket knitted for me by my other great-grandmother that I never met (my father's father's mother) which I call my doggie blanket. A needlepoint quilt hand-sewn by my grandmother before her arthritis took the ability to sew away. Photo albums that tell the story of my adult life.
My box is filled with the following:
- Love letters from Mr. Y
- 3 cards from X Partner Unit (he never believed in writing much. I would get one card every Valentine's Day. That was the extent of his writing beliefs.)
- The tabs of the boarding passes from all of the flights I have been on in the last 5 years. I kept them all, to remember where I had been and when.
- The plastic hotel room keys of all the hotels I have stayed in during the last 5 years-so that I can remember what it was like to be out and about.
- The wedding photo of my grandparents, him in his army uniform, my grandmother so young and happy.
- The wedding photo of my great-grandparents-him with a jaunty cap, her with an unlined face that looked exhiliarated and fresh
- My own wedding photo and videotape with X Partner Unit
- A strand of Greek worry beads from the island of Naxos (idle hands are the devil's work, after all).
- A sun catcher from Santorini
- 2 CD backups of all the photos from the past 4 years of my life-my dog. The cats. The flat and then the house. The Seychelles, Malaysia, Turkey, Greece, Partner Unit, friends, family, travels.
- 2 boxes of girl scout cookies
- A pink plastic elephant my grandmother sent me. My grandfather bought it for her on their honeymoon, and she hoped it would bring X Partner Unit and I our own 48 years and 9 months of wedded happiness. Although that looks like it's not going to happen, I'm not giving it up anyway.
- Lotions and body washes from Bath and Body Works. I know-not that special, but important to me. Wanna' know what scent surrounds me? Pick up the Jasmine and Vanilla body lotion. Or the ginger and green tea body wash. That's me.
- The following DVDs which cannot be replaced in Europe: Home for the Holidays (so that I can think of Thanksgiving), E.T. extended version, Schoolhouse Rocks, Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (the claymation ones, narrated by Fred Astaire-remember those?) and the DVDs I've been sent from my wish list on this blog.
- The following CDs- Sarah McLachlan's Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, John Denver and the Muppets Christmas Carols, Dave Matthews Crash, and Sting's The Soul Cages.
- A silver photo album my mother made me, filled with pictures of my childhood.
- A picture of Kim
- My diving log book
- My first baby doll I was given when I was born, which I still have. She's pretty ugly, something that you would expect Tabitha from Bewitched to be carrying around, and has some crayon marks on her face. I called her Pink Baby, and I will never let her go.
And my greatest treasure in the whole world is a yellow plastic puffer fish bath toy. It's the most valuable thing I own, my inheritance from my beloved grandfather's death. It was the only thing I asked for, the only thing I wanted. I used to play with it in their bathtub when we visited them, and looking at that puffer fish reminds me of their enormous Iowa farm, the smells of cooking bacon and of corn stalks, and the knowledge that my grandfather was somewhere on the farm, working for his family.
That's safely nestled in Mr. Y's bureau. I took him with me to London to interview, you see. Sort of like my wishful thinking good luck charm.
My treasures are what will keep me going when the going gets rough. There's no value in them, really. But they are things I know I can't live without. And as I finish the final 24 hours before I leave Sweden for Life Number 6, I know that I will breathe easier knowing that they are there with me.
What would your box have?
-H.
PS-Brass, my darlin'-how's Luuka?
I tried to comment on this all day but I couldn't think of anything to put in my box. I did finally figure out what needs to be in there and I started to comment but it got waaaaaaay too long so I just made a post out of it. It's over here if you'd like to read it.
Posted by: Jim at March 5, 2004 10:44 PMI had to gather up 20 yrs of things when I moved to the states.I posted 2 huge boxes.In them were a knitted blanket my mum made,photos of my dad who died just before I came,my grandmothers knee rug,a pillow a friend made,25 yrs of journals,letters from my son and pics of him,photo albums,a new zealand flag,winter coats,all my medical info,letters from my ex with whom I had a 20yr marriage( kind of like yours and PU)..also bath oils,makeup that I should have left behind..LOL..all of the things that make up who I am today.
Oh Helen..Im SO glad that things are finally working for you the way you want them to! Congrats on the new job and best wishes on life 6!
Love letters, childhood birthday cards, drama and stage acting medals, my worry rock that I broke in half while my granddad had his quintuple bipass, naked pictures of my ex boyfriend, my baby teeth, my worn and ragged flintstone's bam-bam doll, my glass pens, and my grandfather's compass.
Posted by: emily at March 5, 2004 06:02 PMYep, doin' this on the blog. What a lovely idea.
H, honey, you're almost through! Deep deep breath now before the last push...
Posted by: Kaetchen at March 5, 2004 05:49 PMMine is an old cigar box with the following in it:
1)A paper weight I made when I was about 10
2)A picture of my first girlfriend
3)a pocket knife/key chain that was my grandfathers
4)the two "S" emblems from a chevy el camino
5)a dozen or so "finisher" pins from motorcycle racing
6)My mothers engagment ring
7)A diary my mother wrote in the 70's
8)two hot wheels cars
9)a "no bozo's" sticker (bozo the clown with a circle and line through it)
and,oh, hey! I didn't know that was in here! cool...
Dane
Posted by: Dane at March 5, 2004 05:33 PMWhen my grandmother died, all I wanted was the dish she served her deviled eggs in. I wanted this for many of the same reasons you wanted the puffer fish.
That's right, I used to play with it in the bathtub.
Posted by: Guinness at March 5, 2004 04:53 PMteehee, simon you made me giggle!
what a neat thing to think on helen. i'll have to get back to you on what's in my box. (besides the obvious../smut)
Posted by: kat at March 5, 2004 04:12 PMI would take a blanket my grandmother crocheted for me, my robe,(I tried to buy a new one but always revert back to this one) all of my Aerosmith cd's, and tons of pictures and letters/poems.
Posted by: Rebecca at March 5, 2004 03:45 PMExcellent! Damn that bear is spoiled. I'm so glad you've enjoyed having her.
Miguel-boxing touches and feelings. Now that's a sweet thought. Sometimes I think I would sell my soul in order to have one more touch...
Posted by: Helen at March 5, 2004 03:38 PMHelen,
Luuka is doing quite well and is a big hit with everyone. Weather has been crappy and we haven't been on the hill much. She'll be staying until Wednesday then she is jetting of to Jersey to see Robert.
Luuka sends XXXOOOXXX.
Brass.
Posted by: Brass at March 5, 2004 03:34 PM... mmmhhh... my hassellblad camera? Did great picures of V with it. My memories are of food, drink and friends. And lovers, of course. And touches, and ways I felt. How do I box those?Miguel.
Posted by: msd at March 5, 2004 03:30 PMHave a great flight, Helen. Looking forward to your first post from the U.K.
Posted by: dave at March 5, 2004 03:18 PMI have a photo album. When I get a new picture, I have to take an old one out. It's a reminder of my past. Every once in a while, I take it out and look at it.
Posted by: Jiminy at March 5, 2004 03:17 PMH,
Let me know when Simon is done fondling, er, "group hugging" you. I need to get accurate measurements of you for a shipping container. Do you think there'd be room for some Cadbury chocolate bars as well?
Have a great flight. Pints all 'round!
Posted by: Paul at March 5, 2004 03:10 PMI realized, sadly enough...that I have no clue what I would keep. The reason, I believe is because I have nothing to put in my treasure box. I don't mean to say I don't have memories. I do have some. Most are still at my parents house in Florida even though I've been living on my own for 4 years now.
I've been in love twice, the first was unfortunate and I still think of it that way. The second I live with and carry him in my heart everywhere. Maybe I haven't experienced enough of life yet...
Posted by: Amynah at March 5, 2004 02:52 PMOne should always keep their old love letters. It's always nice to look back and remember how that kind of love in a relationship was. I still have my box, and have had no problems with any of the men I was with having their own box, too.
Thanks for the well wishes.
And as Dane said in a comment a while ago, Jimi-I'm perhaps the only person who is moving to the UK and looking forward to better weather!
Posted by: Helen at March 5, 2004 02:27 PMHelen - Best wishes on your new life. I know it'll be a success.
My box is packed away with most of the rest of my things. When in moved in w/GF in November we put most of my stuff in storage until we've saved enough to buy a house. Besides my CD collection (which would be one massive box), my guitar, and a shoebox of old photos, I can't think of anything I would have. I had a box of old love letters, but a previous girlfriend pressured me to throw them away and I'm pretty sure I did. Dumb me.
Posted by: Clancy at March 5, 2004 02:18 PMUhmmm...I have to agree with Simon. Men don't have boxes. ;-)
Many of us do have containers holding treasured items. Lemming like, I believe that I'll follow the herd and do my own post on this. It's an interesting topic.
There's so much good stuff here. I want to file off all of the serial numbers, give 'em a new paint job and present them as my own. Except the part about having my breasts fondled at Mardi Gras.
Perahaps I'll be a doctor...yeah, that's the ticket!
My notebooks of writing, photos of The Boy and I and of my hill, my horseshoe necklace, the stuffed dog, my homemade Cabbage Patch kid, and my blue CD case.
Posted by: Tami at March 5, 2004 02:15 PMHelen, good luck on the trip and retaining all your possessions!
good bye winter wonderland - hello rain-soaked/cloudy land of opportunity!!?!
Posted by: jim at March 5, 2004 02:10 PMGroup hug! Group hug!
Posted by: Simon at March 5, 2004 10:48 AMHelen, i think i too am going to have to do this on my blog!
As for the Fumbling Towards Ecstacy CD, it is AMAZING! I have my copy right here in my bag.
I hope the flight/settleing goes well and i will really look forward to hearing your British adventures unfold,
Abs xx
Posted by: abs at March 5, 2004 10:46 AMOH MY, what an interesting and thoughtful question!
I'm going to have to think on this, but expect my answer over at my place (with proper linkage, of course.)
Posted by: margi at March 5, 2004 09:37 AMI'm doing this on my blog too.
Posted by: plumpernickel at March 5, 2004 08:59 AMThat's cool you take your puffer fish with you for nostalgic reasons. I do the same thing, only a different flavour.
I have a small rock from Morro Bay, California taken from the immense rock by which the city is named; Morro Rock. This charming Central Coast fishing village my favourite place in the world.
I keep it in my pocket regularly, especially when I need the security.
Posted by: Curator at March 5, 2004 08:40 AMOne note each from each of two men that I've loved, the collar and name-tag of my dog that I had to give away very recently, lots of sheet music and notebook pages filled with pieces of song, strings from my first guitar, all of my nirvana "stuff", the cross/celtic knot necklace that my mother gave to me, my chinese relaxation ball thingys which are the only gift my father has ever picked out for me.
Best of luck in the next few days - I just know things are going to go wonderfully for you!
Posted by: Heather at March 5, 2004 08:29 AMI actually do have a treasure box. But this was such an awesome post that I'm going to do it in my own blog.
The Helen's Treasure Box meme.
Come on, Simon-reach in and spank your inner child. On this site, you will not be emasculated for having a box. I promise.
Now admit that your box consists of an X-Box, the first love letter you ever got, an autographed photo of Kylie Minogue and a 1990 copy of Playboy and we will all move on for the group hug.
Posted by: Helen at March 5, 2004 08:06 AMYou know, I'm not sure what would be in my box. Probably a lot of pictures to start. Pictures of my kids, definitely, and of my Dad (as those cannot be replaced). You've certainly given me something to think about! :)
Posted by: Sue at March 5, 2004 08:06 AM