Joe and I spent this past weekend cleaning out the garage, going through boxes and boxes of precious memories and also lots of stuff collected through the years. It was both fun (especially when the kids joined us) and exhausting. Then yesterday we took an Expedition-load to Good Will and it felt sooooo good.
In our commitment to “lighten up,” I came across a box of items I packed shortly after Mom passed. Items from her bathroom drawers. Her makeup and hair products. I remember packing this box and even kept out several items at the time and used them. Then the rest I tucked away, knowing I shouldn’t keep it all yet not ready to throw it away.
I came across this…
A little pill box…filled with Tic Tacs. 
My mom always kept Tic Tacs nearby. Over the past five years, I’ve found them tucked in the side pockets of purses she used. But this is a little treasure I’ll keep on my bathroom vanity from now on. But um…if you’re ever in my bathroom and need a Tic Tac, don’t eat these. They might be a tad hard. ; )
I also came across my old Monkees lunch box…
No telling how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches this lunchbox has seen. I wish I still had my favorite lunch box from elementary years… A Julia lunchbox. Does anybody else remember that TV show? I loved that show.
Next, I found a picture of Gran (Joe’s Mom) with the kids (circa 1993)…
Claudette died suddenly of a brain aneurysm in 1995. She was 58. So beautiful and so young (younger feeling now than it did to me back then, for sure). Hard to believe it’ll be 20 years ago this year since she left for Home.
Last thing I’ll share…
Me with my older brother, Doug, circa 1966. Gotta love that bang action. And the bow tie is an especially nice touch, Doug.
It’s fun looking back through the years but it’s also sobering. Not only to realize how swiftly the years fly, but also to see how quickly we accumulate stuff. Some of it precious, for sure. But still…stuff. Stuff that we’ll leave behind in a blink when we head Home. And Joe and I have more than our fair share. We’re working to change that, though. We’re working to lighten the load. And it feels good!
What precious treasure have you found while cleaning out boxes or going through closets? Something from your childhood? From a loved one gone on? Something someone gave you that you forgot about? I’d love to know.
Now to write for a while then finish going through a few more boxes…as I work to lighten the load.
Blessings on your Tuesday,
Tammy
Tamera blogs every first and third Tuesday at Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction, a group blog she shares with a wonderful community of authors. If you'd like to join the conversation on this post, Tamera would love to see you there!