Stories that swirl

And whisper tales of now and long ago

Cherry Blossom © Kathryn LeRoy

Hello friend,

Stuff. Stacks. Shuffles.

What stays? Does anyone else even want this stuff?

January has a way of reminding me that I own a lot, a lot, of stuff. My stuff. My mother’s, my grandmother’s, my dad’s, my husband’s mother’s, grandmother’s, and dad’s. That doesn’t begin to include treasures from my childhood. After 54 years of marriage, there is also our stuff.

Shell Memory © Kathryn LeRoy

All this took on a different meaning as I watched the terrifying scenes from Los Angeles. My heart broke as I watched a widow rummage through the charred remains searching, hoping to find her wedding ring—one small but irreplaceable reminder of a life lived.

I looked around. What if that were me, and everything, absolutely everything, was gone in a matter of minutes?

My dear friend and I often consider the stuff we will someday leave behind. She shared a new approach to all her belongings that begins with taking a photograph and then writing down why she has chosen to keep this object. Every item has a story, a memory, a whisper into a moment in time.

Brilliant.

A couple of weeks earlier, I purchased a pink Cherry Blossom depression glass butter dish. I didn’t need a butter dish, but I have pieces of my grandmother’s dishes in the same pattern.

When I saw it I remembered the mound of butter sitting in the same dish. I could see the fat floating to the top of the milk pitcher. The rhythm of the small butter churn followed my heartbeat, consistent, determined, ever steady.

Threaded © Kathryn LeRoy

I began to think about the pieces I keep, and my wise friend reminded me that each has a story. The story of me, my family, our traditions, our values.

Those objects and memories, their stories do more. They carry us and the generations to come into a new future rooted in the richness of family and community.

If I lost it all? It’s still stuff, but the story is life, and that cannot be snuffed out by fire or floods.

Curious Collection © Kathryn LeRoy

A photograph and a flashback of coal-black hair and blue eyes.

The story we tell with our stuff.

A few musical memories: Barbra Streisand Memory, Maroon 5 Memories, and Elvis Memories.

“…memories I kept safe so that I could roll them around my mind.”
—Katherine May, Enchantment

Smile © Kathryn LeRoy

If you would like to read more from me, visit my website. I’ll be waiting for you there.

With gratitude,

Kathryn

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