Keepsakes and the Power of Four

Keepsakes provide good memories and serve as a link to the past. As young girls and boys, we knew that we would all live forever, and therefore, did not place much value to such items during those tender years; but as children grow, and values are learned, indeed, the value of sentiment and good times are also realized. My great-grandmother Kitsy’s black skillet serves as a catalyst for a sweet remembrance.

The black skillet is a tangible keepsake, but intangible keepsakes can exist in other forms such as our own memories and the love we share with special people.  With an interest is genealogy, delving into and researching my family’s history provides immense pleasure.  My paternal grandparents had four children; each of those aunts and uncle had one girl – the rest were boys. During the last several years of our adult lives, the girls – four cousins – deepened our bond with each other by sharing stories, remembrances, of our grandparents.  News is also shared about our individual families:  a mother’s health, a son’s adventure, a new grandchild – more stories to tell and keep for sweet memories.  Just this morning I received a call from one of the cousins to update about her brother’s surgery; she ended the call by saying, “enjoyed getting together with my sisters.” Cousins now reach out and offer words of encouragement and support; these times together are precious bonding experiences – magic!

As a result of our monthly luncheons, we organized the first family reunion in several decades last year. Once again, it’s time to create memories of the best sort – memories that settle deep in the heart as valued family sentiments. No longer four little girls, we are four strong women who have created a memorable bond to strengthen our families, to, once again, bring our extended families back together in order to share the knowledge of our history and to create future memories for the next generation of little girls and boys.  In essence, we have created the power of four – P⁴ - the ultimate keepsake!