In life, we come across many things that are special and close to our hearts. Some stay prominent throughout our life, whereas others come and go. No matter what the “things” are in life, they hold some form of power. They sustain imprints of memories and good or bad times. We look at these items and can’t help but feel emotions related to the times we associate with them. We hold them close to our hearts and become attached with a fear of letting go. Let’s see how this is just the case with someone just like you and me, named Joseph.
Now, little Joseph was born. And as most young children, he was given stuffed animals. He chose his favorite stuffed animal, the dog, and gave it a special name- Spots. Spots was his favorite thing to play with by far. Joseph brought this stuffed animal with him everywhere. He brought it on vacation, to other people’s houses, you couldn’t see him without it. If Joseph forgot Spots he cried and threw a tantrum to the point where he became intolerable and could only settle down if he slept, or got Spots back in his possession. Over time, Spots got dirtier and began to fall apart. There was a rip in the ear, a tear in the nose, and the tail held on by a thread to the rest of his body. Joseph didn’t want his animal to fall apart completely, so he placed it in a box where he put other items he played with. Eventually, Spots was just an old stuffed animal that became invisible.
The day before Joey’s first day of high school he went through some boxes kept from his childhood. He found random photos, his first report card, various drawings of favorite superheros and then he came across Spots. It looked just the same as he left it. Memories flooded back to him and he remembered the happiest times were made with this stuffed animal. It seemed silly and childlike to want to still hold on to it but Joey couldn’t seem to part so he tucked it safely in his room. Now, Joey was looking forward to high school and he was going to try out for the baseball team. He practiced hard all summer long and was eager to improve. Baseball became his passion and it was all he could think of. At tryouts, the coach was impressed with Joey’s skills and enthusiasm so he put him on the team. His first game, he hit a home run, winning the game for the team. The coach let him keep the ball and Joey was ecstatic. He placed the ball right where he had Spots. He realized it was time for him to grow up and start a new chapter of his life, so he put Spots back in the box where he found it and his game-winning ball sat on his dresser all throughout high school. Everytime he glances over at it he remembers where he started from the first game to how far he has come today. It represents the beginning of something that overpowers his life and his love for baseball. Joey never fully forgot about Spots, however; he moved forward with his life and found new things to cherish.
After high school, Joe got a full ride to college for baseball where he met his wife. They got married in an opulent summer wedding, and later decided they wanted kids, so his wife gave birth to twins. When the twins turned four years old, Joe’s mother decided to go through old boxes with him, with the intention of looking for toys in good shape that the twins could play with. When Joe opened up on box marked “Early Memories,” the item that stood out to him was Spots. Spots was on the very top of the pile with cars, blocks, and other miscellaneous toys. Seeing Spots made Joe smile, as he reminisced on all the memories they had together. Looking at Spots now, Joe realized that he invested his time into making sure Spots and him were together whenever possible. He was Joe’s best friend who was a better listener than any human being could be. He was his playmate and the item that could make Joe feel better when he had a bad day or was sent to his room for a timeout. Joe’s mom saw him holding Spots and that made her think of his childhood and how grown up he is now. She began to feel emotional and told Joe to bring Spots home to his house. To keep her from crying, she opened another box. This one had the home run baseball he hit while playing his first baseball game. She showed him it, and he couldn’t believe his eyes. He hadn’t seen it in ages, and he hadn’t played baseball in years. Seeing the ball reminded him of his teammates and the first true friendships he ever had. He is still in touch with his teammates from high school and college. Then, Joe’s kids came running to him, giving him hugs and asking him to play with them. He he would in a little bit and they ran back outside. Watching them run back outside past his mother, he thought about how much he loved them and their mother. He would do anything to be with them and go to the ends of the earth to keep them safe, like most parents. At this time, he realized that now, his treasured belonging is his family.

Our friend Joseph now resides in the Oakland Nursing Home. His beloved wife passed only months ago and his kids have moved away and started a family of their own. Joseph is allowed few possessions in his room. He has some plain clothing, cards from relatives here and there, but on his night table rests his photo album which he looks through every night before he sleeps. In it are photos throughout his whole life. Photos from his childhood which feature Spots in nearly every one. Photos with his baseball team, starting with his high school team to his college team. Photos on his wedding day, buying his first home, photos with his two newborn twins and countless more with them. These may seem to be pieces of paper placed in a book but not to Joseph they are not. To Joseph they are his life memories, his life happiness, his life purpose. Although he may feel some sadness flipping through the album because he misses his wife and his past, he can’t help but be filled with joy knowing he lived a fulfilling life. In his hands he holds everything he should be proud of and everything that he will hold on to forever. Joseph looked through his photo album one night just like any other night except this night would be his last. The next morning the nurse found him looking as peaceful as ever, grasping his treasured photo album.

So why do we even have treasured belongings in the first place? I believe it is safe to say that everyone can name one treasured belonging they have or had have. But why? The answer isn’t the same for everyone. For someone it can be a reminder of a past event or even a person. For others it can be kept because of who gave it to them or how it was obtained. No matter what, all treasured belongings exist because we become attached and put our sentimental feelings into certain objects.
Can treasured belongings be everlasting? Joseph's story helps us answer that question. At the time it may seem like the item might never leave our sight. However, time pushes forward, things change, and those items can disappear. But, it is extremely hard for them to disappear forever. They might go unseen or forgotten for a period of time but seem to find a way back into our lives. Since these items are treasured to us we can’t simply get rid of them with ease. We tend to carefully occupy them and may even pass them one to someone we love. Our treasured belongings will be everlasting. Maybe not physically but consciously.

But what about if an item gets lost? It can get physically lost, but the memory will stay forever. Just like if a person gets lost, the memory of that person will be everlasting. To some, a treasured belonging can be a friendly reminder of something that exists in spirit and in the mind, and to others a treasured belonging symbolizes hope and happy times. Memories are never truly lost, thanks to treasured belongings.
Some tangible items that people treasure are pieces of jewelry, specifically necklaces. I know a girl that was given a Tiffany necklace from her parents. After they gave it to her, her parents started to fight with each other, eventually ending in divorce. She wore it all the time because she thought that if she wore it enough, her parents would no longer fight and get back together.
Another person I know has a necklace that is half of a heart with words on it. Even though she does not have the other half of the necklace, she memorized the saying written on the two pieces. The other half of the heart is on her father, in his coffin. This inanimate item reminds her of her dad, the way he was a fighter until the very end against cancer, the way he loved her, the way he is still with her in spirit. It is a reminder of a person who cared so much for her throughout her life.
Embedded within special items are feelings and memories. Because these feelings and memories are positive, it is easier to remember them by possessing a treasured belonging. Whenever one sees or feels their cherished item, it reminds them of a time in their life, and there is a memory behind it that they don’t want to forget.
We are all unique for having different treasured belongings. It makes us who we are and shows what we care most deeply about. Although this may seem like this is something that separates us, it is rather the opposite. These cherished items bring us closer together when they are shared and passed on. We are all connected in a bizarre way through our treasured belongings.