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This was just a forward from a friend but it touched me deeply. We are such a throw away generation. But SOME things you keep like people and pets. You hold on to them for as long as you possibly can, for all they're worth. Then with all the love in your heart you help them and let them go to find the other side.

To me that is the greatest gift you can possibly give anyone or anything. The help to let go and find that new horizon.




Dear Keeper,



I grew up in the 50's/60's with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it.. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.





Their marriage was good, their dreams focused Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat, and Mom in a house dress, broom in one hand and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress, things we keep..







It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful.. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.







But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.





Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away.. never to return. So... While we have it.. it's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken.... And heal it when it's sick.







This is true... And old cars... And children with bad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents....... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.







There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special..... And so, we keep them close!





I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Send it back to the person that sent it to you if they too are a keeper. Good friends are like stars... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.











Keep them close





Hope you enjoy your day.

Beautiful. I too grew up with that era. Thank you for posting this. It really is true.

Echo, I second the writing part. You do ndeed have a way with words and you really should put them down. Write a journal or a book and give it to your family. You are charming, witty and insightful and I really do love reading your posts. In fact I look forward to them. Thank you for being you.

Just found out - we'll be greatgrandparents by the end of June - about keeping - my Mother's name was LaMae Ida - our granddaughters middle name is Bianca LaMae and her daughters name will be Addison LaMae - the name lives on. Both my son and I are assuming Addison is a girls name.

Nancy and Sue, thank you. But tho I post in here? I have a blog but have never written in it. I just have the very hardest time coming up with subjects and the words to even try to maintain a blog. Trying to do a journal would probably put my thoughts and fingers in knots.

Carol, love the idea that they are keeping the name alive!!! I would think Addison could be used for both a girl or boy. But usually when I hear the name I think "girl".

That was really nice Echo - thanks !

Thanks for sharing.

So true, Echo...thanks for sharing....you are a Keeper, too!!!!

Thanks for sharing, Echo!