The Time Capsule

My mum is a sentimental hoarder.
I did not inherit this trait.
She has always found it very difficult to part with trinkets, cards, letters, gifts if there is an emotional connection. As a child, I wrote my mum a continual stream of love letters on tiny scraps of paper, usually my notes consisted of a pledge like this:

To Mummy,

I love you.

You are the prettiest and best mum...Love Simone

I would always draw a bird or small creature that would be saying "True!" or "Really!"
She kept every one.
Earlier this year she moved from a 3 bedroom house to a 1 bedroom unit. The downsize suited her, but it meant she had to be very strict on herself & part with many space consuming "treasures".
She filled a box for me & each of my brothers with items she had kept over the years, now ours to hoard....or sort through.
I only went through my box this weekend. I was in raptures unpacking all my childhood goodies. I hadn't seen some of these things for many years. She kept our baby books. Every snippet of information recorded. Our 1st words, a lock of hair at 6 weeks, 6 months...2 years. My baby clothes, booties and hats. My kindy school apron, my first teddy, dolls, my favourite cassettes (Anne Murray: There's a Hippo in My Bathtub) Countless delights. I cooed & purred at toys, jewellry boxes, books. The memories flooding in. I loved these things as a kid.
I have never been more thankful that Mum was a sentimental hoarder. Who knew so much joy could be found under layers of dust?
Thank you Mumma. You are the prettiest and best mum. True, really.