The Wooden Box

A little bigger than a cigar box, the wooden box sports a design lovingly burned onto it by a long-gone relative. Inside are souvenirs from a life well-lived. There is a well-worn pocket knife, a father’s gift on a sixth birthday. There is a badge from service in the U.S. Army and a ring from college. There are wrist watches and tie tacks. A photo or two. Each item precious. Each item a treasure in its own right. But without the memories attached to them, the treasures become trinkets. Their stories slowly fade as time passes. It’s up to us to keep the treasures in our lives alive.  If not in the wooden box, in our hearts.