On the outside it looks like any other filing cabinet; but it holds a secret – the bottom drawer is filled with my treasures of the heart.
There are some items in life that are just too precious to throw away. Usually they have very little monetary value; they are precious because of the memories they hold, or the people they represent. Let me take you on a sentimental journey through some of the very special treasures I keep in that bottom drawer …
I must confess: some of my treasures are nearly fifty years old, because I’ve kept them from when I was a baby! In the photo above (2) you will see the envelope with the clippings from my very first haircut. And perhaps you are wondering – why on earth would anybody treasure a scrappy old scrapbook like this one (3)?!
It’s my baby scrapbook, and inside are the newspaper announcements, baptism certificate, hospital tags and all the cards my parents received when I was born. To me, it’s a very special record that my mother did love me … once upon a time.
Which brings me to the next item – a bugs bunny tie. I found it out on the road in front of our house after the garbage truck had been; it was all covered in mud. So why on earth would I wash it and consider it a very special keepsake? You’ll have to check out my post, A Message From Heaven, for the full story!
In the background is a Valentine’s card from my very own honey hubster – the one he gave me to mark our 25th Valentine’s Day together.
As well as treasures from my parents and the hubster, I also have some sentimental keepsakes from when my own kids were babies …
A relative brought back this cute little velour outfit from Paris, when Mr 21 was a newborn. It was so smart I dressed him in it for his baptism when he was 5 weeks old; not having been raised Catholic, I didn’t realise that I’d committed a huge faux pas (how embarrassment!). Apparently we should have dressed him in white ๐ . Ah well, a white shawl wrapped around him soon solved that problem …
My best friend since high school days came to the rescue when Miss 18 was born, making her a christening dress out of broderie anglaise.
Other items you might spy in the picture below, include a parquetry box, made by my Pop when Mr 21 was born; and the teddy is from my own childhood. My treasures also include a couple of books, about family history and similar.
If I had two minutes to grab a couple of treasures and escape from my home (for example, if there was a fire), I think my handbag and my treasures of the heart drawer and photo albums would be what I would reach for (of course, that’s only once my family and kitty were safe!).
Do you have a special drawer or chest to keep your treasures of the heart in?!
Linking up with My Home Truths.
Raych aka Mystery Case says
I only have one thing from my childhood… a silver spoon with my name engraved on it, from my grandmother. I’ve made up little treasure boxes for all my three girls and kept a memento or two from when they were little and they are now in charge of deciding what is added.
Janet Camilleri says
I made a baby scrapbook for each of my kids, just like my mum made for me, and am keeping them safe for when they are old enough to treasure them x
Min@WriteoftheMiddle says
Ahh you’re sentimental like me Janet – I have many, many treasures very much like yours. I love that you have a baby scrapbook put together by your mother. Considering your history and her history, this must be such a lovely comfort for you! ๐ xo
Janet Camilleri says
It sure is Min – I love it – and made baby scrapbooks for both of my kids too, to keep up the tradition x
Ness says
I don’t have anything from my childhood or babyhood, but my Mum probably has. I was really terrible at keeping those scrapbooks of memories and milestones for my boys. Oops. Another one for the bad mother files. It’s really sweet that you’ve kept those items.
Janet Camilleri says
I probably treasure them all the more, after being estranged from my mum for so many years x
Natalie @ our parallel connection says
Omg some of those cards I have too .. I have some hair from when I was forced to get my haircut as I got chewy stuck in it.. Was 8yrs old and sobbed
Janet Camilleri says
Oh no! I remember being devastated when my long hair was cut off in Grade 2 for a “pageboy” haircut which was stylish at the time, I hated it, the fact it had “boy” in the name why the heck would I want to look like a boy?!
KezUnprepared says
I have an ever growing box of stuff in our home office. I really need to organise it better!
Janet Camilleri says
I must confess: I also have a big box full of special stuff I’m keeping for the kids, but it’s such a mess, I’ll let them sort it out when they are ready!
Nikki @ Wonderfully Women says
I have nothing from my childhood as we moved a lot and mum tended to toss things. I have made sure that I don’t do the same, and started boxes for both girls from when they were born. For the first 10 years of their lives I bought a Christmas decoration every year so they can put them on their own trees when they leave home. xx N
Janet Camilleri says
I made baby scrapbooks for my kids, to start a bit of a family tradition. I wonder if they will carry it on with their children one day?!
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
I have a parquetry box too, this post just reminded me of it! I’ve also just had bub’s first curl set into a locket so I can keep it forever.
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I love the scrapbook Janet. I have something similar from when I was young and I’ve attempted to keep those things for my kids too but I’ve only completed my son’s book – the girls’ things are still stored in different places, ready to be added…one day!