Two things struck me last week; one was the celebration of life for a friend of mine who loved dolls, rocks, books and writing. She was a woman after my own heart. The second thing was a documentary of objects recovered from 9/11 sites.
My friend Rochelle loved her antique dolls. They appeared at her visitation and later at her celebration of life. Another friend was charged with selling them and they appeared at doll ;. I bought many.They were all the more precious because they were hers. I took home her original Shirley Temple, even though I had several. I knew she loved Shirley Temple, and that doll presided at Rochelle's visitation.
When I watched the 9/11 documentary, I was touched that its creators understood the importance of objects in our lives, especially when they evoke memories. As one commentators put it, that's why we bring back souvenirs. As i pointed out in something I wrote, objects can later help us to remember when our memories may start to die.
The Federal Rules of Evidence allow using objects to refresh a witness's recollection. Therapy for Alzheimer's patients often involves using objects.
Collecting things serves the same purpose, and also preserves objects for the future.
Here are some ideas from the 9/11 documentary:
- Objects preserve when memory fades
- It discussed "the human urge to hold on to objects to preserve the past and speak to the future"
- Objects are our bridge to the past.
