Childhood Treasures
Happy Monday my friends! This past weekend I tackled one of my largest, and most dreaded, “to-do” list items…I cleaned out our garage. I wish I was brave enough to show you the before and after pictures but to be quite honest, I have to keep some dignity on this site! As Jason and I made our way through the dozens of surf boards, piles of old clothing, broken lamps and vintage (to-be-upholstered) chairs, we ended up in the back most corner of the garage where a stack of boxes marked “Leah’s Room” had been collecting dust.
Opening the first box and staring down into the faces of all my old Barbies literally caught me by surprise. My Mom had saved everything! Every tiny shoe, snow ski, stretchy legging, and miniature brush, all packed away as if a younger me had just set them aside. Box by box the treasures started to emerge. My favorite cabbage patch doll affectionately named Molly Dolly was there, a barn full of my precious My Little Ponies, Rainbow Bright and even my Snoopy Snow Cone Maker. A box full of stamps, a journal with my childhood poems, my baby blanket; it was all there.
I reluctantly separated my treasures into piles: yard sale, donate, trash, and keep. As I organized my items spreading brightly colored 80′s toys across our driveway, I spotted a little girl walking home from the beach with her Dad. As she approached our house her little mouth fell open and she stopped dead in her tracks. There it was, my Barbie speedboat sitting there in all of its neon pink glory. I couldn’t help but smile at the look on her face as her Dad tried to peel her away from my driveway. To be honest, that speedboat was sitting in the “Sale” pile before this sweet little stranger strolled by. Of course I gave it to her. And as I walked back up the driveway with tears in my eyes I thought, now that was the best memory I’ve had all day. For some reason I was struck by her Dad last words to me, “her mermaids will love it.” PERFECT, that is absolutely perfect.
That story is so so sweet! I always have a hard time cleaning, because I hate clutter, but also get sad getting rid of items that have so many memories. It’s definitely a challenge to find the right balance!
so cute! what a trip down memory lane that must have been. love that you made that little girl’s day, too
Great post. Parting with childhood items is always hard. Love that you were able to make the little girls day. Also love that you had a cabbage patch kid named Molly Dolly too
Thank you Sarah! Yes, Molly Dolly was my very favorite toy.
“”Her mermaids will love it.” PERFECT, that is absolutely perfect.” Agreed.
Wow, you do have some treasures!
I love everything about this post! Specifically the Snoopy Sno-Cone maker! I loved ours but I have no idea where it is today.
I’m also jealous that your mom took such good care of your things! I love my mother to death but she’s not big on organization…
And finally, I think it’s awesome that you gave the boat to that little girl. I’m also struck by her dad’s words. He sounds like a great dad!
Katie- I am very lucky that my Mom saved so many treasures. I kind of think she was a semi-hoarder when it comes to my sister and my old things!
Aw, such a sweet story – reminds me of the end of Toy Story 3!
It’s so fun to go back and see childhood toys and all the memories that come back like it was just yesterday.
Emily- it’s funny you should say that! When I opened the box of Barbies I though of Toy Story! lol
I so love that story. And again, these images make me so so happy. I hope you kept that cabbage patch doll (I had the EXACT same one)
Jacquelyn- Yes, I absolutely kept Molly Dolly!
I can’t believe we had the same cabbage patch…just another reason we are destined to be the best of friends. xo
Aww, total flashback! Childhood toys have such a special meaning right?
I got teary eyed reading this post and seeing the pictures! I remember each and every one of those precious toys. Giving up your cherished childhood treasures is difficult, but I know how happy I would have been if as a little girl somebody gave me a pink Barbie speedboat!
you had a speedboat? i wanna play with it!
Haha Lynn! We should have a blogger play date.
I love that picture of you! So cute! And such a sweet and perfect story. That little girl is going to make some fun memories of her own with that toy!
Tammy
Oh my gosh, Leah, that story about your toys brought tears to my eyes as well! What a very sweet thing for that little girl to be given the pink Barbie speed boat! I can only imagine what joy that brought to her! You are a love – simply a love!
This is such a sweet post. So jealous you had a barbie speedboat!!
Oh Leah!
Such a lovely way to express beautiful emotions! I am feeling a lot about your tresure trove of childhood memories…so much like the “little girl” I still see in you today! Things that make, shape and form us from our past making us the sensitive people we become as adults!
Lovely!
Michele
This could not have been more adorable! And that story is just the cutest
The Snoopy Snowcone Maker brought a smile to my face. I can remember playing with my sister and the snow cone maker. Such a sweet post!
Absolutely bawling. I have room for a box if you need to store anything
I’m pretty sure there’s a granddaughter in my future sometime who would love to have your memories. XO
this post makes me want to go through all the boxes/bins at my mom’s house and dig out my snoopy sno-cone machine…. and my easy bake oven!
I am about to face the same thing. My playroom is full of toys you, your sister, Eli and Emmy played with as kids. Mine, not in great shape. They have continuously been played with for 29 years! Your barbies are beautiful! Hope you saved some of them.