Collections
George's mother collected spoons and salt and pepper shakers. My Mom collected elephants, Beanie Babies and postcards. My Aunt collected Hummels. My Grandmother collected knickknack shoes or slippers. It was just a thing that evolved. Someone would declare something they liked and everyone would often give that person that themed gift at Christmas or birthday. And such collections grew and grew.
My Mom was the fulfiller of collections. If you said you liked a theme, she would forever grow your collection. For me it was lighthouses. I have a pretty great collection of lighthouses--tiny ones and ones that are electric and light up. I had a lighthouse cookie jar and lighthouse dishes.
It was easy for us to find a souvenir spoon wherever we went for George's mother. I don't know how it started but George had gotten probably a handful of key chains and it was decided he was collecting them. He did put them on a display board and amassed quite a few. That was another easy gift to find.
Ben collected nutcrackers for a while and Tiffany fancy dolls. Ben was also into baseball cards and other cards and some comic books. Tiffany's biggest collection was these adorable little miniature figures. We thought they had been lost in our basement or attic but a few years ago I found them and happily gave them all back to her one Easter.
I don't know how many people still collect things of a particular theme. Of course, we have had to tell everyone "No more!". George gave away most of his collection to another collector. I've halted the growth of mine, but have not yet started purging, but after going through my mother's elephants, I probably should do that. Oh, the fun my family is going to have going through the things I save. I think the first thing I saved was paper--yes, paper. I had a paper drawer in my dresser and used scrap paper for writing. I didn't want to be without something to write on.
I have always had a fascination and can't resist a good rock--one with character. And of course, there are my couple of jars of sea glass--all the pieces were hunted down and captured--a prize from hours of walking the beach. Now I have my Mom's sea glass too. Oh, and I collected stamps from when I was a child--foreshadowing my future postal job?
George doesn't really collect much else, unless tools and screws and things like that count. He does have a small classic model car collection that my parents helped him with, but then he said, "no more". He has a perfect little display.
I don't know what makes some of us have that inner drive to save. Why am I a collector (don't call me a hoarder!)? Maybe optimistic people see the potential in everything--like my paper collection, as a child and now other things for craft supplies for the grandkids, or there are other things like George's tools and screws and things that can save us from buying more in the future. Lighthouses are a saving beacon reminding me of Jesus being the light of the world. I like what they represent. Photographs deliver precious memories. Rocks and sea glass are found treasures. I feel like I "earned" them. I have justifications for everything. I still maintain people who collect are optimistic.
Yes, we have collections. I know we can't take it with us, but it's a hobby and I think it releases dopamine and makes us feel good. I know the minimalists don't understand but I do know it's an internal thing and I also know, this is just an earthly pleasure or curse, whichever way you look at it.
"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy..."
Matthew 6:20
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