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Sunday, February 5, 2012

What Are You Collecting?

When traveling, I always like to bring back a little something from the place that I am visiting.  Not anything like a magnet or shot glass, but something a little more personal – like a handful of sand, a piece of art by a local artist, or even some cool pictures of the local people.  Lately, I have been collecting shells.  Yes, you heard it – shells.  I know, sounds very ordinary, but hear me out.

My love for travel was sparked by my Mother.  Once she retired, she couldn’t seem to sit still.  She wanted to see and do it all.  While surfing the internet, she would say “Angela, we should go here.  It looks pretty.”  I would respond back (with a laugh), “Sure Mom.  Where ever you take me, I’m going.”  Unfortunately, my Mom passed away before realizing all of her travel dreams. 

Dealing with her death was difficult for me.  The hardest part was saying goodbye to the home that held so many memories, but we had to inventory everything, lock the house, and hand over all keys to the estate custodian.  On the day of key hand over, I walked through the house grabbing random items:  the toaster, a cookie sheet, a jewelry box filled with junk jewelry and a crystal bowl filled with, you guessed it, shells.

That was 9 years ago.  I have since moved my Mom’s shell collection to a vase which I add to every chance I get.  My shells, coral and rocks aren’t secluded to the vase.  A large shell I found in Tulum sits on a shelf, rocks and coral collected in Puerto Vallarta are in the second sink of my bathroom, and a large rock that my daughter picked up at Magens Bay  in St. Thomas serves as a door stop.  Each one is a daily reminder of where I’ve been, and why I can never stop exploring.  


What are you collecting?  Is there a story behind it?










8 comments:

  1. I do this too! Before renting out my condo, I used tot collect art from folks on the streets in various cities. I would frame them in this sleek black frame and add to the collection on my walls. Now I keep the items smaller and more personal, like my emerald earrings from Bogota, rodocrista leaf charm from Buenos Aires and a bracelet made electrical wire and metal beads that everyone swore was expensive but only cost $1

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  2. Ahh, that explains the traveling, I love it! This is a GREAT idea. I think I am going to incorporate this in my life's journey. Not just going to collect just any ole thing, but things that represents milestones in my life. Thanks for sharing.....

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    1. Exactly! It's a great feeling stubbing my toe on that damn rock, but then remembering how Kennedy almost got us arrested bringing it through customs! LBVS....

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  3. Great post Ang! I like to shop for clothes, shoes, unique 'artsy' magnets and postcards while traveling. I like wearing things that I know (or hope) I won't find here in the city I live. I also send myself a postcard (when I leave the country) with an encouraging message to myself as a booster travel memory. It may sound corny, but on a dreary day in Chicago, weeks after my trip, it brings a smile to my face when out of the blue I get a postcard reminding me to keep striving for my dreams. In the case of my trip to Puerto Vallarta, I didn't receive that postcard until this past December...the postcard was sent in July!! It gave me the giggles and confused the heck out of those I sent postcards to.

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    1. MJ....I use to send my kids post cards whenever I (or other family members) would leave town. They had a cork board in their room with the words "OH - The Places you Will Go" and all postcards would be pinned up there.

      Those post cards were lost during one of our moves - but now I just take them with me so they can collect their own momentos. Kennedy collects random items like her Mommie and Austin (don't laugh) collects room keys! Isn't that funny?!

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  4. Angie this is a beautiful post, yes I too usually collect things but corny stuff like magnets. I always admire your shell collection when I visit your home maybe I can start a newer more interesting collection. RED

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    1. THANKS RENITA!!! I didn't know you collect magnets! Where do you keep them? My aunt collects magnets and they are ALL over her Fridge. Seriously, not an empty spot available. LOL

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