You're Gonna Miss This...no wait, I already do

In the process of emptying out plastic tubs to hold our old towel and blanket donations the other day, I'd unloaded a pile of things from one and set them to the side. Later, while putting things back in order, I had a moment to actually see what it was I'd unearthed from the depths of the storage building. What I found took my breath away.

Treasures...my babies' treasures...long tucked away for safe keeping.
Oh the memories that flooded over me as I gingerly held those baby things...and then promptly washed them since they smelled stale from years of storage!

#1

*Trey's most prized possession---ELMO
Elmo went everywhere with us for about 5 years. He was an Easter gift from Aunt Winkie (my Phoenix sister) when Trey was 6 mos. old. "Melmo" was Trey's first best friend.
One memory that really stands out for me....When Trey was 3, a massive tornado hit Arkadelphia, a college town (MY college town) just 30 miles from where we lived. In the days following, we were gathering up things to take there..household items, clothes, things others who had lost everything could use.
Trey was going through his toy box, looking for toys he could part with, to give to some children.
His "Melmo" was lying there, in the box...on top of the other things. I asked him about it...surely my three year old had not intended to place it there. His words were so sweet as he replied, "but Momma, some other boy might need a Melmo to love."

*wipes the tears rolling down my cheek even as I post this*
(and no...me in my OWN stingy selfishness, kept Melmo out of that box...but we did stop and buy a new one at Walmart on the way to donate. )

#2

Matthew's "blankie".
(or...as seen here, in better days)...

This crib comforter was on the first bed Matthew ever slept in, and was drug all over creation with him until the Blanket Fairy came and got it during his first day of Kindergarten, since he was now a big boy and didn't need it anymore.
Tattered and torn, this blanket, like Trey's Elmo, was loved.

#3

Molly's first babydoll.
I bought it the day I found out I was having a girl.
She was not as attached to things as the boys were, but Molly has always loved babydolls. Even now, at age 10, she still plays with her cabbage patch dolls and has shown no interest in giving them up yet. This baby is not one she played with much at all, but it was the first, the first of many.

Yes..memories of MY babies...now freshly laundered and repacked for me to find again at some later time when my heart needs a love boost.