- Joined
- May 19, 2017
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- 5,096
I understand. I don’t expect everyone to attach such sentimentality to objects. These items do evoke emotions in me. Some of them are also deeply symbolic as well. My father’s badge isn’t my father obviously. It symbolizes to me his honor and his integrity. He didn’t become someone else by wearing it and he didn’t excuse his behavior by hiding behind it. He truly enjoyed serving.This was really interesting.
I do have unique souvenirs given to me by my late parents, but if one of my sisters asked me to give something to them I would. I'd say "Our parents live on inside, not through these."
I also have some gifts from cherished people including the first woman I loved, but I treat them as they are instead of attributing a certain value.
In my mind "This was given to me by X" doesn't change anything.
As much as I can still understand or rationalize why others would put a certain value into certain items, I cannot relate. Probably because I do not attribute any emotional value at all to material things in general.
My ex girlfriends cup symbolizes her passion and creativity. She could draw and paint but she loved working with clay most of all. She loved it because she could really merge with it. That cup holds some of her energy and passion in it. It’s absolutely unique, just like her.
It is very interesting to read other perspectives.