Treasure

 

It was a man on that there tellybox recently that nailed it. Just like that! His words hit home: right to the heart.

I've a few bits and pieces that have travelled this thing called life with me, things that have a significance that, until now, has been hard to explain. Of inconsequential meaning to most, I am sure. But to me, things that have an invisible bond: an unbreakable, unexplainable link, until now. Well actually until seeing aforementioned bloke on the telly. 

It was an episode of The Repair Shop, date unknown, not too long ago, but hey we're in lockdown and the crazy surreal atmosphere that holds, so it may have been weeks ago or it may have been months ago, who knows! 

Until now I've been unable to put into words the value of these "things". Because yes, dear readers, to you they will be "things": trivial things to the outsider - treasure to me.

"treasure: a collection of valuable old objects."*

I'm not sure a value can be attributed, so, invaluable maybe? Precious even. Yes, precious, that's it.

"precious: loved and treasured"*

This chap had taken something precious to him along to be repaired. I forget exactly what; the sentiment he expressed after, has strangely erased my memory of the actual item, but it was his own personal precious. An item formerly belonging to a loved one now passed. A treasure. For argument's sake let's say the treasure belonged to his dad.

The oh so wonderfully talented craftspeople at The Repair Shop worked their creative magic and restored it to its former glory with love and pride. The gentleman returned to collect it. You could feel his trepidation through the screen ahead of the big reveal: a fear almost of what he would be presented with - not fear of the item itself but of his own feelings, so it felt.

His exact words I cannot recall, but the sentiment resonated with me, and maybe if you too have such treasure, that of a dear one loved and lost, it might be as equally meaningful to you. He explained to the presenter, whilst choking back tears - you'll know that feeling too! - that it was special because not only had it belonged to his dad, but his dad had used it, had touched it, had held it in his hands. And although his dad was no longer here, he himself was able to hold and touch and feel this very same thing that his dad had held with his hands.💙

 And there was that connection, that lightbulb moment for me. Those every day things that are part of my life every day. Keeping alive the memory and the love of their former keepers, every day 💙 

If you've got an equal treasure, don't hide it away, use it, feel it, hold it in your hands the same as they did with theirs.

**********

So they've all got names in our house, here's just a handful:

"Grandad's Knife" - if not buttering bread or spreading Marmite then it's cutting cheese or cake - all things my dad would strongly approve of. Except maybe the Marmite! 

                                   

"Grandad's Fork" - this bad boy, with it's wonky left prong, is used to "fluff" the rice; beat a single egg when you've not got enough egg to warrant using the big whisk; poke little breathy holes in pastry and to drag a pretty swirly pattern across your mash topper of a Shepherd's Pie!

"The Teaspoon" - yes of course out cutlery drawer has plenty, all patiently waiting their turn to stir the  morning cuppas of choice. But "The Teaspoon": no, he gets used only for measuring. 

"Nanny's Tablespoon. No Not That One, The Other One" - let's ignore the MCC stamped on it - thankfully Middlesex County Council is a long time dissolved so there's no danger of their School's Meal Service coming knocking at the door. We hope.

                                               

"One of The Big Tins" - so versatile: veggie tray bakes to iced sponge for 30. This one - and it's ever so slightly shallower brother and their lids - are a double whammy. Mum's from when she was a school cook back in the 70s-80s, they were made by Grundy of Teddington, where my maternal grandfather worked. Who knows, maybe they both held them in their hands. 

      

And despite my daughter never having the fortune to meet either of my parents, she does. with her passion for cooking, feel their love through these treasures almost every single day 💙

Not all that glitters is gold

*Collins Dictionary (online)