What objects tell the story of your life?

While reflecting on my past, I pondered which objects I used the most, meant the most to me, and might represent the story of my childhood. This is a diverse collection of beloved objects. Each tells a different story, and together they speak of the interests and passions of my early life.    

Street Beat

My purple and pink “Street Beat” CD player was one of the first Christmas presents I remember. It came with a selection of CDs, including Disney Princess: The Ultimate Song Collection, Rockin 50s, My Little Broadway, and of course, the Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus disc set. My CDs were my treasures. I kept all of them safely stowed in the second drawer of my dresser. I spent a great deal of time lying on my bed or dancing around my bedroom with my Street Beat turned all the way up and my favorite track numbers set on repeat.

Guitar

My family tells me that when I was very little I picked up my dad’s old guitar and started playing it. This prompted my uncle to buy me a miniature guitar, more fitted to my size. One evening, I remember taking the guitar into my room, sitting on my bed, and strumming down on all of its strings—letting out the emotions of a stressful day at preschool. That day, I composed my greatest masterpiece:

Sometimes I feel happy

Sometimes I feel sad

Sometimes I feel angry

But it doesn’t matter at all

I would continue to substitute as many other emotions as I could think of into the lyrics, while passionately and contently strumming on the open strings of my little guitar.

Binder

As an only child, I spent a lot of time entertaining myself. When I wasn’t writing songs on my guitar or wearing out my Street Beat, I found an interest in designing businesses. I wrote up plans for a lemonade stand, bracelet company, school, fashion label, architecture firm, and many more. I remember telling my mom that I needed to go to Target to buy a binder to organize all of my plans. I thought that would be very professional. It felt like the first step that I was taking towards becoming a serious entrepreneur.

Tote

From first grade to sixth grade, my Sunday afternoons were reserved for Chinese lessons at the foreign languages building on campus. In preparation for class, each week I packed a blue tote bag with all of my textbooks and snacks. I loved going to class and then participating in traditional folk dance classes immediately afterwards. Eventually I wore through the bag, and my grandma helped me sew a patch in the bottom where the books had fallen through. The tote reminds me of the time I spent at Chinese school, which I enjoyed very much.

Shoes

After developing an avid interest in rock climbing, my parents bought me my first pair of climbing shoes. As soon as I opened the box, which smelled of the light green leather and rubber soles, I felt like a real climber. Becoming a part of the climbing community on campus and in town became an important part of who I was. Each time I laced up my climbing shoes I felt a sense of identity, belonging, and confidence.

In retrospect, each of these objects reminds me of a special memory. At the same time, I am curious and wonder what new objects may tell the story of my future life.