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Paul Lukas's avatar

My mom (still alive at 98) was also born in 1924, and still has that Depression-era frugality.

I relate to the significance of things found in cereal boxes. When I was six, I pulled a Ken Willard (49ers running back) card out of a box of Corn Flakes. To this day, I remain a 49ers fan!

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Ted Anthony's avatar

I was always forbidden to have cereal in which the first ingredient was sugar. My mom would occasionally make exceptions -- rare ones -- if there was something cool inside the box. Honeycomb was particularly good about that, if memory serves. And of course Cap'n Crunch.

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California Drift's avatar

Ted, this really hit home! My depression-era mother habitually sent me clippings from the local paper and other miscellaneous stuff -- beautifully penned notes, too -- all through my adulthood, up until she went into a nursing home. I didn't appreciate it much then, but sure miss it now.

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Ted Anthony's avatar

I keep coming across little envelopes with fleeting hellos and clippings. It's like new content from people who are gone. Thanks so much.

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Kevin Coldiron's avatar

Great piece Ted. You kept the money flow to yourself otherwise I would have hit you up for some pizza.

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Ted Anthony's avatar

I'll buy you a Hiway pie next time we're in town to make up for it.

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Caitlin Kelly's avatar

I envy you this...my parents moved around and no one kept my stuff. After my mother died in 2020 I received 3 large cardboard boxes of her remaining things (she died in a nursing home) and do treasure a few of the items therein, mostly a small stuffed mouse she had for many years and which likely traveled the world with her. I made sure to have Mousie accompany me on a month's solo road trip in CA last year in her honor.

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Ted Anthony's avatar

Thank you for this. I know you've posted about your relationship with your parents and it seems like you (probably as many do) struggle with having FEWER things rather than too many. I suspect fewer is a challenging thing to navigate as well. I love the stuffed mouse story and hope you write about it one day.

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Caitlin Kelly's avatar

Thanks. We live in a one bedroom apt. and have no kids to pass anything onto. It helps us be very careful about what we acquire. Mousie musings possibly TK...

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Guthrie C.'s avatar

Love this piece, Ted! Have had similar finds & feelings as my own elders have passed away in recent years. Makes you wonder what objects will touch your next of kin!

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Ted Anthony's avatar

Thanks, Guthrie. Good to hear from you. Yes I wonder what unexpected things we will leave behind that will offer unusual windows on who we are/were!

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David Kirschner's avatar

Maternally curated miscellany is the best. Great first piece! 😁

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Ted Anthony's avatar

There’s sooooo much of it!

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