GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's time for 'My 2 Cents.'
It's funny what we remember and what objects bring those memories back.
I went home to visit my parents in Mount Airy over the weekend. We starting looking through the attic archives as I call them - old items that we've held on to for some reason. Things that may seem like junk to most - became treasure troves of good thoughts to us.
It started with an old bike helmet - back with my mother's perfectly printed handwriting in paint marker on the sides. You would see a bike helmet and nothing else - but I saw the memory of going to Wal-Mart with my family to buy new helmets. There was one, only one, beautifully marbled pink, orange, yellow and purple helmet. My sister and I both wanted it - but she pulled rank and got it. The only remaining helmet was plain, black and looked so sad. I was heartbroken - until my mom said, 'Maddie this one is even better, when we get home I'll help you decorate it exactly how you want.'
Then we uncovered letters I had written to my parents from my grandparents' house with big bold letters that read "DO NOT GO AWAY WITHOUT US AGAIN." I rolled my eyes at my adolescent attitude - but then smiled remembering all of the fond memories of spending a weekend with my Granny and Pa - the homemade Mac & Cheese, the buttered toast with jam and the endless checkers games.
And of course - we found the museum of student council campaigns. Specifically these T-shirts I had made in seventh grade for my bid for Secretary. I thought of old classmates and even exchanged messages with a few of them inspired by the find. I lost the campaign by the way.
The objects will and should be donated or discarded - but memories stick around, and that's truly what matters.