Day 2: Declutter & Clearify

10 minutes to clear an end table drawer in my family room. Ready, set, go! You think it would be easy to clear a small drawer but stuff gets shoved in drawers when wanting to clear surfaces.

Day 2 end table before clearing out.

Again, I found pens—only 10 this time and most were dry. 3 tubes of lip balm, 5 decks of playing cards, 3 hair ties, 2 mini flashlights—only 1 worked—and coasters. I threw out the dry pens, donated most of the cards, and replaced batteries in 1 flashlight and put it in another drawer for when needed. 

Some items brought back memories that I’d like to share before I pass them on.

The Pokémon bookmark was one of my boys. They received bookmarks in elementary school as reading awards. Nick was 4 and Stephen was 2 when Pokémon first appeared on TV. Nick immediately connected with Pikachu and Stephen loved Charmander. They wanted to ‘catch them all!’ I still have their characters and cards. As a bookmark collector, I’m keeping this one.

The playing cards are reminders of trips we took with our children. I always bought a keepsake like playing cards or ornaments for our Christmas tree. One set is from Fort Ticonderoga in Essex County, NY. We took the boys with their uncle and cousin. They loved the cannons and watching the reenactments.

Nick and Stephen after their trip to Fort Ticonderoga holding their souvenirs.

The other deck is from one of our many trips to Cape Cod. We’d stay at Dennis Seashores in Dennisport, which had small cottages right across from the ocean. There were many beach days with their childhood friends and cousins swimming in the cold water and building sand castles. On the first night, we’d eat at the Kream and Cone in West Dennis. After a seafood or chicken tender meal for the kids, we’d eat their delectable soft ice cream. There would be walks to Sundae School for some homemade ice cream as well. There’s nothing like melting ice cream on a hot summer day. This piece of driftwood was found on our endless walks on the beach searching for seashells.

It’s heartwarming to reminisce. Objects bring back these memories, and I’m grateful. We haven’t played with these cards or this dice game in years, so I’ll pass them on. The drift wood will go in my garden as a reminder of our precious times together.

Thank you for letting me share my memories.

What keepsakes do you have from your special vacations?

What’s in your end table drawer?