Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Mending A Memory

When you have something special, something irreplaceable, do you tuck it away for safe-keeping, or do you make use of it?

This denim bag has been mended and re-mended, over and over again. On it's most recent fix-up, I had to alter the shape of it entirely, and lost a good bit of size to it as well. Sometimes I think I should stop using it, but then what would be the point in that?



This bag used to hold my eldest brothers pencil crayons. He was an incredible artist and I'm sure would have gone on to be even greater had he lived past the age of 18. Now, being in my 30's, I realize even more-so what an incredibly short life he lived.



This memory of him has traveled around the world with me for two years, and has held everything from jewellery to art supplies. Using it all the time is sort of like carrying a photograph.

I think I'll continue to use it, patching and mending away, until the bag itself becomes so small it can do no more than patch another well-loved and cherished item. I think he'd like that.

xo

7 comments:

  1. Sweet story. I'm so sorry for your loss. Mend on - that bag is too important to leave behind. Wonderful you get to think of him each time you use it.

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  2. I think I would use it too. What a wonderful honor to your brother and a wonderful way to remember him each day.

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  3. What a fantastic bag. I am sorry for your loss. What a great picture of your brother. I bet he smiles every time he sees you mending it.

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  4. This is a beautiful story! I'm so sorry you lost you brother. I love the way you hold on to this part of your memory of him.

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  5. Thanks for all your awesome and thoughtful words!

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  6. You've done the perfect thing. And I second the words that he smiles every time he sees you mending it.

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  7. awww so sad and so sweet xx never stop using it xx

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