Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Dealing with Memories


Amey in Idaho posted a powerful post today. She made reference to a post made from Drazil. And so the string continues…

As I left a comment (which I have been really bad about these last few weeks), it started to get very long. Way long. So I am doing a post with a similar theme and hope you don’t mind Amey, and Drazil (Yeah right!).

The Coles Notes version: Losing weight means moving into different clothes, which hold powerful memories for us. We can’t wear them anymore. Drazil’s was mourning the loss of her Snakeskin Shoes. It wasn’t the item, but the memory.

Don't give those memories away. Keep the best in a box to remember your past. If you can't keep the entire piece, cut out a little square of material or pictures of the outfits. Handy, creative types would scrapbook them all with little anecdotes. Amey mentioned a bra she wore at her wedding. I would definitely keep that bra. Pull it out for the memories. Maybe even put it in a shadow box. I’m not kidding.

I save a couple of little outfits from when my kids were babies (my youngest is almost 25). They still invoke these strong memories. I think in my heart I will have them to try on my grandchildren (if and when that ever happens). I still have the head piece from when I was a flower girl over 50 years ago (picture to come).

And although we cannot live in the past, it's ok to keep the memories, whether they are the actual item, a poem, a story or maybe a photo. We haven't lost what we were, but we have to move into the future—the scary unknown. I didn’t tell everyone about all the cool clothes I bought last weekend. Well daughter was there “forcing” me into most of it. I now wonder if it was a bit of a mental block to not recognize that the weight has left the building. There may be future sightings but really it is gone for good. Elvis costume might have been good at the time, but they and him are gone. But the memories live on.

Life is about memories—good, bad, ugly, sad, happy, disgusting, sweet and ...  It can be a piece of clothing, a picture, a song, even a smell. And as we grow older we develop new ones. We just have to know that those new memories will be just as powerful as the ones in our past. Guaranteed.

Or do like me and just use a memory stick!

11 comments:

The Banded Lady said...

Oh, if the world could see our boxes of memories - how the conception of thin and self would change (for the better).

Steph said...

I agree with you...We don't have to get rid of the old, but we just need to make room and open our eyes to the future where new memories will be made...this time in skinnier clothing!

I do still have my prom dresses from 1989/90 and if I am ever a sz. 10 again, I will wear them. My boss has made me promise to!!

Jacquie said...

Great post! So true.

-Grace- said...

Great post as always, Sandy (and Amey and Draz!)

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

Great perspective my lovely imom. Love this post. And I love you - thank you for the kind comments on my feature - they mean the world to me....as do you.

Joey said...

I want you to be my imom.....c'mon - I have your hair!

Bonnie said...

I can't wait until I can wear some of my smaller clothes with memories of a smaller me attached.

Michelle said...

Great post! I still have my wedding dress and I'm keeping a pair of jeans to remind me of what not to go back to.

Band-Babe said...

Thanks, Sandy. This is fantastic advice. It's all about the memories, you can't take anything else with you...

Donut Butt said...

Thank you for the comment on my blog. You really touched my heart. I'm going to keep the clothes that mean the most to me and know that's it's ok to keep them. I can't wait to give you a big hug in Chicago!!

Gen said...

So true. Thanks Sandy. And hope your restriction is not too annoying. I'm thinking unfill is in order for me....I have to be able to party with you in Chicago!!!

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