Steamer Trunks: Guardians of Keepsakes, Souvenirs and Mementos

My mother has my grandmother's trunk that carried her valuables from Germany to the United States. One day I hope the family trunk will come to live in my home and join my collection of antique trunks. Until that time, my keepsakes are stored in an old wooden trunk I found at a flea market many years ago. It's battered and worn, but still strong and beautiful.

The keepsakes of my life fit into that restored trunk that once carried clothing and household goods from one place to another. Perhaps this trunk was used by a family immigrating to the USA at the same time as my grandparents? Or, maybe it held precious heirlooms sent from far away to New England?

Whatever its history, my beloved old trunk has been a trusted keepsakes guardian for more than 30 years. It holds memorabilia, clothes, photo albums, letters and cards that celebrate the milestones of my life - some happy, some less cheerful - reminders and connections to events in my life worthy of remembering. One day the contents of this trunk will pass along to my children and grandchildren, complete with notes about their meaning and significance.

In the community where I grew up in Massachusetts, each child who finished 4th grade Sunday School was presented a Bible with our name imprinted on the front in gold.

I have thousands of photographs of my family and friends, many stored in boxes or digital format. My most precious are the photos of my daughters when they were babies. Sometimes I think I looked not much older than a child myself in the photos of me with my first born daughter - she's now in her forties.

I save greeting cards from family members and friends. My husband gives me a beautiful box of chocolates (dark only!) for Valentine's day each year. My birthday is in February, so I keep all the cards and notes I receive throughout the year in a beautiful heart-shaped box.

Our honeymoon trip to Bermuda was a wonderful vacation and we have many memories of picture-perfect weather and friendly people. We celebrated Labour Day in Hamilton Harbor while we were there.

My granddaughter loves to paint and draw. She's been making me wonderful pictures since she was about 2 years old. I cherish each one, and save them in a special portfolio in my treasure trunk.

My first career took me to far away places. I visited Japan on business twice, and this carp kite is only one of many souvenirs I brought home from Yokohama and Tokyo.