bottle this

After our basement flooded, I promised myself that, as I moved the boxes back into storage, I would eliminate at least 2 totes.

Ha!

That led me to open each tote and really evaluate WHY I was keeping the things I was keeping. I realized that I had way too much stuff stored in 3 keepsake totes, just for myself. As I sifted through the things I once treasured, I realized they weren't as important to me now as they were years ago. I really didn't need the Prom stemware from 1992 or the Subway napkin from me and Jason's last meal before I left for Florida. I smiled as I found my charm belt from about 1984, still full of charms (it's a keeper) and the felt poodle skirt my mom made me for Halloween in junior high. I also read through the many letters I received as I was going to college in Florida (I must've been miserable - I can't believe the amount of letters that continued to say "hang in there, Dana, it will be over soon." (Seriously, did I have to TELL everyone I was miserable?!?!)

Anyway, the thing I longed to find in that box was an explanation of who I was when I was younger. When I was in elementary school. When I was in junior high. What was I like in high school?

I have memories of who I thought I was, but sometimes your memories of yourself are a little distorted. And limited.

So, I have started a journal for each of my kids. I plan to write in each one at least once a month and to recall funny stories about each child. Hopefully, Jason will contribute a few entries into each one, too.

I know that I can't capture everything, and it's from my point of view, not my child's. But, I hope they will treasure these writings in years to come, and maybe even refer to them when they have kids and when their kids have kids! (AH! Back up, Dana!)