Memories Found in Objects

“Water can drip through stone.” -Chinese proverb

This proverb reminds me that there are solutions in even seemingly impossible situations. For example, I recently witnessed a way to revive memories for those with dementia. I was visiting a senior home and saw different stations set up for the older adults. These were nooks with key items like a wedding dress, an old Singer sewing machine, and a typewriter to help them reminisce.

I wonder what object will elicit stories from my generation in the future. Will we have hallways decorated with computers and smartphones? Personally, for me, I think a watch could pull out my feelings.

Even as a child, I loved tracking the hands that danced around my father’s silver watch. Sometimes I tried it on my own wrist (way too big, of course), but it was a comforting and familiar object during my childhood. I became somewhat of a watch collector myself, primarily through accidents; I always managed to scratch the face, lose the band, or something else.

For a while, a watch was the only adornment I would wear. When I went engagement ring browsing, the shopkeeper couldn’t discern my tastes because she couldn’t find a single jewelry item on me! Nowadays, it’s hard to find someone sporting a watch. Most people look at their cell phones to check the time (myself included, although I still think it’s quicker to look at a wrist than rummage through a purse for a phone). I continue to have a fondness for watches, though. I currently have two, and I keep them around for sentimental reasons.

What objects hold strong memories for you?