Treasure

If you were to look through my purse or my pockets, you would find so many odd things.  I see them as treasures.  Since I was a child, I have collected objects that hold meaning just for me.  The objects are not necessarily expensive or even things that a person would buy.  Most of my favorite treasures were given to me, so they are also connected to a person in my life.  My dad was the first person to start my treasure chest of odds and ends.  The very first treasure I remember getting from him was a buckeye.  He simply told me they were lucky, and I took his word for it.  I kept that buckeye in my pocket, my backpack, my tiny, sweaty hand, and on my bedside table at night.  It now "lives" in a special place in my house, along with other treasures.

Recently, my dad gave me a persimmon seed.  This particular persimmon seed is very special.  He handed it to me, and he told me to hold it until it was warm.  I have no idea why he said this, but I obeyed.  As I held my persimmon seed tight, he told me the story of how he found it.  He saw it sticking up out of a pile of dog shit on one of his daily walks around the lake.  He dug it out.  Cleaned it up.  And, now, it's lucky because it's gone through a dog's digestive system and found its way to me.  Does this really make any sense?  No.  Is it true?  I don't know.  I choose to believe him.  When I am having a bad day, I "dig" my persimmon seed out and hold it tight until it is very warm.  It makes me smile and giggle to think of my dad's story, and the journey of the lucky persimmon seed.

Yes, the deer are not facing you, but I like that.
The lucky persimmon seed, but with no dookie.

Another notable treasure is my U.K. Santa Claus button.  To really understand this treasure, I need to give you some backstory.  I am a cancer survivor.  During the time of my chemotherapy and radiation, I had a friend from the U.K. and had met her through blogging.  Her name is Amber, and her husband's name is James.  We exchanged emails and began exchanging fun care packages.  She would send me awesome packages full of things we just don't see here in the U.S.  I would send her Moon Pies, pork rinds, and circus peanuts.  I'm Southern, ya'll.  I had been having a really hard time, and Amber knew this through the emails I sent her.  I received a care package from Amber and her husband, James.  James had sent me a treasure.  There was a department store in the U.K. where he had gone to see Santa Claus as a child.  When the child sat on Santa's lap and spoke of his/her wishes, then the child received a button.  The button featured the name of the department store.  The button was one of James' treasures since he was a child.  He gave it to me.  I used to take this button with me for my chemotherapy treatments.

James' treasure.

 I would clutch the button in my hand during the treatments.  I am healthy now, and I keep this treasure on my bedside table right next to the persimmon seed.  It makes me smile.  It reminds me that you can have dear friends who you may never meet face-to-face.

Treasures are always special when someone else has chosen you as the recipient; however, it can be just as powerful and meaningful to find your own treasures.  I remember the first time my eyes met Olive's.  She was in an antique shop in Savannah, GA.  Her legs were kicked up in the air.  It was as if she had no worries.  She was also a really fun shade of pink and had a bit of a smirk on her face.  I had to have her.  I quickly snatched her up and purchased her.  She went everywhere with me throughout Savannah.  I noticed she liked the bars the most.  Who doesn't, right?  Olive was a party girl.  She came home with me, and she now lives on my fireplace mantle.  She likes to see what people are doing and has been known to join in if she spies a martini.  

Treasures help me through hard times.  Treasures help me remember happy times.  Treasures are connected to emotions.  Treasures are connected to people.  I always get a funny look at airport security because the TSA may find a buckeye or an old Christmas button in my jeans.  I'm sure they see Olive in my purse as she cruises through the x-ray machine.  No matter.  These are objects that bring me comfort.  Sometimes it's a way that I can continue Marching Fourth through my day.  I would love to hear what the readers' treasures are and why.  Can't wait to hear from you!

Olive