Cosas Preciosas

Have you ever owned something that was incredibly precious to you? Maybe it’s a piece of jewelry from your grandma, or a note from a long distance friend. It could be a childhood stuffed animal or that one shirt that still smells like that special person. Whatever it may be, you do whatever it takes to make sure it stays safe. You might even check every once in a while to make sure you still know where it is and that it’s ok. 

Well, in the past 3 months, I have learned that those things are really important. But it’s not the material itself that is important. Everyday, I wear a bracelet that my siblings also have a match to, and it is precious. But here’s the thing, if I lose the bracelet itself, the meaning doesn’t fade. I love the bracelet because it reminds me of them, but so do pictures, their messages, the and reels they send me. The bracelet is not a replacement for my siblings but rather a reminder that they are there no matter how far apart we are.

On my bed here in the DR, I have a blanket from my mama. Do I use it when I sleep? Heck to the no it’s too hot here😂 But somehow it still smells like her. So on the days I miss her most, I hug it and imagine hugging her. It’s not the blanket, it’s the love she filled it with before she handed it over to me.

He doesn’t know, but I carry a green journal with me because it reminds me of my dad. He always wears a lot of army green, and he loves a good book and writing. So when I see it sitting on my bedside table, I am reminded of memories of seeing him on the couch with his glasses, a good book, and a cup of coffee. And somehow, that peaceful memory brings me joy on the hard days. 

I carry my special Wofford Companions t-shirt with me that I almost never wear because it is WHITE and if you follow my Instagram, you know white shirts give me anxiety. However, it reminds me of my sweet friends in Companions. Their smiles, their laughs, and their pure joy. 

Lastly, I carry a red knitted cloth. It’s a prayer cloth that you are meant to squeeze and hold when you are scared. My family was given it during our first ever trip to Haiti, which was the exact spark that lit my fire to go and love the people in the hardest places in the world. Before I left for this trip, each of my family members prayed over it as tears welled up in my eyes the night before I took off. So every time I have a hard day, every time I take off or land in an airplane, and each night before I go to sleep, I hold it tightly in my hand, being reminded that this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. 

I don’t think any of us should hold on too tightly to material items because one day they will fade away, but I do think we should hold as tightly as possibly to the memories, people, and emotions surrounding those items. Those, those you get to keep. 

Give your people a tight squeeze for me today if you will. Your mama, your dad, your siblings, and all of the people who make you feel home. And if you are by yourself right now, I am sending you big hugs from the Dominican Republic.

Keep shining light into our world! 

Love you guys,

Margeaux