Little reminders everywhere.
Bits from my siblings and parents who are now gone.
A favorite knife from my mother; serving bowls from my brother.
Candle holders from my sister.

Little collections everywhere.
Carved turtles and jewelry for my mother.
Figures of salmon and fishing poles for my brother.
Dragonflies, stars, and moons for my sister.

Little relics everywhere.
Ancient receipts that chronicle the family’s path through the world.
Cookbooks and menus from an earlier time, ragged and torn from use.
Vintage fruit knives and kitchen tools, worn and rusted.

Little memories everywhere.
Handwritten recipe cards, annotated and food stained.
Framed photos and albums filled with smiling faces, formal portraits, and funny candids.
Home movies that preserve my brothers’ antics, our holiday gatherings, and family visits.

Little memoirs everywhere.
Old letters and cards from relatives and friends sharing past events, past feelings, past sorrows.
Journals and diaries documenting activities and emotions, windows into the author’s thoughts.
Notes scribbled in the margins of address books and on the backs of envelopes, reminders of activities and birthdays.

Little keepsakes everywhere.
A metal mermaid from my brother and a little gecko from my mother decorate our courtyard.
Celestial figures from my sister act as guardians in our backyard.
A tarnished silver locket containing photos of my parents when they were young.

Little remembrances everywhere,
Pieces of their lives now integrated into mine.
Carefully kept and displayed to honor each person.
Touching them makes me feel sadness that they are gone, gratitude for their lives, and unending love.

Little legacies everywhere.

July 6, 2024