I SPY by Jean Marzollo, was one of my favorite books to read with the kids when they were younger. I loved the colorful photos, the objects in miniature, the plethora of items to locate and our earnest searching. “Is that really in the photo? I can’t find it. Maybe they made a mistake. OH I see it! There it is!” And we’d celebrate our good find. I SPY is a touchstone to poignant memories of cherished time with my kids.
Many years ago we received a touching gift from a young couple, Sean and Amy, who Paul and I had mentored prior to their wedding. The gift was a green ceramic leaf that held multiple colorful, smooth stones, all bearing words written by Amy— warrior, family, love, hope, wisdom, patience, kindness, truth, laughter—words they used to describe us and our impact in their relationship. We were awed. We felt blessed.
Over the years, our family has added to the stone collection atop the green ceramic leaf. Stones of all colors, both smooth and rough, those with words and those without. Flat, round, jagged, sparkly, pitted, holey, imprinted with fossilized patterns. And over time, to this stone menagerie, I began adding small items that held special meaning for me. I added things that acted as a touchstone to memories of cherished times and significant people and places:
Marbles that remind me of the first scent of Spring when the Michigan snow was melting and there was bare ground to play marbles on.
The stones that bear our children’s blessed names.
Grandpa’s self-crafted tie clip with gears repurposed from his old watch. His ingenuity reminds me of when he added a motor to a French bean slicer and his first attempts plastering the ceiling with beans.
Shells that Nicholas picked up on the beach as a toddler and handed to me with both hands, full of sand, trusting I would guard them with my life. I wouldn’t sell those shells for any amount of money, Nicholas.
The last remnants of Emma’s Polly Pockets: two shoes and a purse. Our initial thought when gifting Emma with Polly Pockets that year was “how could they possibly fit that many items in one small box!” Years later, after re-gifting those same Polly Pockets to a niece, discovering the small shoes and the purse behind a couch left me grateful for the memory.
The clip-on earring Paul wore while playing the drums at the Spring Arts Festival at Calvin College. I had braided his wet hair into small braids and then after it dried, combed out his locks to amazing heights. The earring is a reminder of his wild side.
One of many horse pins I bought for myself as a young girl. It reminds me that I have a continued longing to own a real horse.
5-K, 10-K, and 25-K pins reminding Paul of his successfully completed races. Remembering his persistence in achieving his goal to run and to complete races, I smile at how proud I am of him.
Leftover coins from travelling to Algeria and Guatemala; not because of my interest in coins so much as the memories of travelling with the four of us as we coined ourselves “TEAM GEBBEN.” The coins bring back memories of significant physical and spiritual challenges in strange lands with our young children.
The shell from the only (and last) raw oyster I ate when we moved to Seattle.
Multiple glass hearts held by women as they shared their stories of abuse and redemption in Journey Groups.
A pin of Italy that Paul and I bought while we walked through the cobblestoned streets of Florence this year. It calls back to mind meeting our friends in Tuscany to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.
The stories and the memories continue to color our lives, and the touchstones have poured over the edges of the green ceramic leaf. I replaced the leaf this past year with a large glass bowl, containing sand, to hold all that I SPY and that I REMEMBER, and a few things that I STILL LONG FOR.
 
Maureen Gebben is enjoying life in the Pacific Northwest after moving there a year ago with her husband, who is presently enrolled in The Seattle School. Mother of 2 fabulous children, she has been married for 29 years. She dreams of gardening on her farm with afternoons spent fly fishing in the property’s stream. Maureen loves hiking, a well-hit back hand, and laughter.
&n
bsp
What a unique way of connecting thoughts with heart !
Thanks Elaine. I love it!
Maureen, I am one of the few who have had benefit of seeing all these memorable pieces sitting in their lovely bowl. It is a lovely reminder of past, present and future and how they all weave into that marvelous tapestry we call life. Thank you for your sweet celebration of all three. Max
Dear Maureen, thank you. I love this creative idea to inspire conversation and reminders of important times. I sent this off to my adult children to ponder doing this. Whether an aunt, uncle, parent or sibling, what an easy way to say to someone, “I remember and you are my treasure.”
Becky,
I love it that you would share this idea with your kids too. I like the way you say that, “I remember and you are my treasure.” 🙂
I LOVE this: “to hold all that I SPY and that I REMEMBER, and a few things that I STILL LONG FOR. I found myself scrolling down to the picture as I read, looking for the things you were describing, because they represent such significance. You’ve honored the memories well.
Thank you Janet. It’s a meditation bowl of sorts and I love that you can see that they have such significance. 🙂
Nice, Maureen, I am looking at my rocks spread around and looking for a container. Thanks for spurring me on to make a memory container. I miss you and Paul and will look forward to a ping pong game in our basement. Is that the backhander you speak of?…
Sandy! I miss you also and would love to see a picture of where your rocks land. I love ping pong too and will take you on in a game. My backhand is in my tennis game actually and since my “good” backhands are so rare, they’re a precious thing and I celebrate every one. And then, because I’m dancing around in celebration, typically lose the next point. 🙂
Oh Maureen! I love this. I have one that I started when we moved to MI but it has only “show-worthy” things in it so far. Your post has invited me to get out of my box and treasure all the unique treasures that are accumulating as a mom of boys. Thank you!
Bethany,
I can so appreciate how we have the “show worthy” stuff and absolutely celebrate your play in busting out of the box and having your sons see what you treasure about them 🙂 Miss you!
I loved reading this Mrs. Gebben. I always had the hardest time cleaning out my old drawers and closets, thinking that if I keep old miscellaneous things, I would just be considered a “packrat” however you gave meaning to physical objects and treated all of them as the greatest treasures! I love the idea of saving those things and being able to look back at them and remember the significance they hold in your life. You have inspired me to think about treating my own little objects as treasures, and I might take your idea 😉 Though mine will most likely filled the majority with rocks, Haha!