Psst!
This is just between us, between us blogging buddies, not for you to go blabbing to the whole world, okay?
I’m getting older every single day. It’s true.
Sorry not sorry, but so are you.
Soon, I will be forty-four.
Sassy’s always sayin she’s halfway to thirty. I’m always like, “I’m halfway to eighty-eight.”
Jeez, Kid.
I got my first birthday present today. From my mommy. I dunno what she’s halfway to without a piece of paper and a pen. I forget how old she is, but we’re both so old I’d need to borrow or carry, and I can’t math that shit in my head.
My mother just mumbled, Jeez, Kid.
Anyway, my mother sent me a sparkly. She loves me to the moon and back. Heart-heart. Gush-gush.
She also sent me holiday decorations. Boxes of home. Figuratively. Like the home we can never go back to? The kind of home we can smile at when we remove sweet memories from the box every year?
I am all about that, in case you didn’t know.
I’m a sucker for sentiment. Much of what I own has been gifted to or passed on to me. I love this about my world. I love how many people are still with me in spirit because of things I enjoy every day. Or maybe they’re still here, but they’re far and those things make them seem closer. It feels Intimate, Personal, Intentional.
As we head toward the season of giving, consider giving something of your own to someone who would adore it and think of you every time they see it or use it. This doesn’t work for every giver or every recipient and it may not work best during the holidays. But when done well, it’s a gift of immeasurable value. A real token of affection, a thought that truly counts.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday — SoCS ‘psst’ is brought to you by LindaGHill
joeyfullystated 
Gifts from the heart are the best. Happy almost – birthday to a fellow Sag.
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Thanks Lois 🙂 *shoots a heart your way*
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Your sparkly is so pretty! Gifts of sentiment are the best! 🙂
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🙂
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Such a sweet sentiment. All gifts should come from the heart. I hate gifts that are given as a reflex or one that is given because you are supposed to give. Happy almost half way to 88. My youngest son is 44 by the way.
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I loathe obligatory gifting. I don’t engage in it.
Does your youngest son know how old you are? Can he math? lol
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Well I am sure he can math but as far as knowing my age I don’t think he gives a shit.
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LOL! This must be yer Mama’s Boy one.
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Yep that would be him.
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Oh, wow, happy birthday. 44 is still very young. My Mom had me when she was 44 years old.
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It feels young at times, old at others, same as every age, I spose 🙂
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I won’t tell anyone your secret. I try to give a family heirloom to each of my children every Christmas – I’m not sure they appreciate them but I figure it’s better than waiting until I’m gone. Happy Birthday, you young thing.
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I think that’s really sweet, Jan — keep that tradition! 🙂
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Great job with the prompt! I’m halfway to 126. Sorry to make you math but since you’re doing hallways. One of the things I kept from my mom’s stuff was a Christmas ornament. Nothing special but it will help me remember her. That stuff is special.
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So you’re 63ish. Dammit, man, Imma break out the calculator now. Alright, my mother is older than you. Actually, she’s surprisingly young, just like you. Have you noticed HOW OLD some 63ish year old people are?
I’m glad you snagged a memory with your Christmas ornament. It’s the little things that mean so much.
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63 and a couple weeks worth. I feel young. I’m glad yo have a young mom 🙂
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Me too. And I’m glad you feel young 🙂 I do, most days. Well, evenings. LOL
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I’m right behind Dan, at halfway to 123 (in March I’ll be halfway to 124). You’re a kid yet. Happy birthday! That’s a nice pendant.
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Nice to know! Thanks! I do feel like a kid at times 🙂
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I love your present, very sweet. And 44…I’m pretty sure I have lingerie that old !!
Gifts from the heart are special, as well as gifts that have a story. Those are the ones you cherish and remember. I have so many stories now. Here’s hoping you do as well.
Happy almost birthday to you, Young’in.
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Thanks! I thought it was sweet. I’m impressed with your laundry skills, holding on to lingerie my age 🙂
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OH YES. My babe keeps making comments about his age, like “well in 3 years I’ll be driving and in 10th grade.” WAIT, WHAT?!
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44? Hell, you’re barely old enough to drive.
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Haha, bless you Ellen 😛
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Just a little hug. Finished. Brava mamma for the moon. 🙂 I got my first Christmas present today too. Amore knows that I’ll need my walking boots in Slovenia before Christmas. “Never stop exploring” it says on the box. I kept it, and was almost as happy for it as for the boots. Might be part cat.
And you never stop, celebrating, giving and receiving, and living with other people, no matter where they are. Cin cin when you need it most. 🙂
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Oh that’s nice! It’s more than a month til Christmas, and only a week til my birthday — you scored! 🙂 So nice he thought about your walking boots.
A little hug for you too!
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You always make me smile with the way you use words, like making math a verb. And that was a nice gift of SoC to us your readers. Lovely intentions.
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Well thanks! 🙂
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Your necklace is so pretty, and how sweet of your mom to send it a little early. I’ll bet it is fun to open the Christmas decoration boxes she sends, too. … I never thought about doing the half-way to birthday age. Good grief! I will be half-way to 134 in a few days. 🙂
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I know! I don’t know where Sassy came up with that! It’s NOT my favorite.
I love the necklace. Very sweet and not a typical gift for her to send. ❤
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I remember being a teenager and figuring out how old I’d be at the turn of the century. It was 40 something and I thought that was really old. Now it’s young and old is 80 something. Looks like you’re the spring chicken around here. I love the necklace and the the idea of giving something we own, cause we sure can collect some stuff as we get older.
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Right? It’s not just sentimental and generous, but it can be helpful, too.
I do seem to have a lot of regular readers older than myself, but of course, I like that.
When I was in my 20s, I had no plans to marry, so I figured I’d head to the sperm bank when I was ‘really old’ ‘like 40’ — it’s all relative 🙂
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So sweet ❤ I hope your birthday is great and relaxing.
LM commented to me yesterday that on my birthday I'll probably be older than his dad. I pointed out that wasn't true and that his dad is turning 40 in January. LM proceeded to tell me, "Well, you look that old." Amazingly, he's still alive.
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Haha, what a joy he is! You know how kids are though. I tell them Papa’s almost 80 and they can’t believe that, but their teachers are “Old like you Mama!” LOL
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Haha! It’s funny how perception of age changes so much the older you get. I thought anything over 30 was ancient forever, but now I’m thinking 50s doesn’t seem so old even.
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Agreed. I’ve decided no age is actually old, it’s mindset and activity that determines quality of life.
You’re the age my former middle school students are now. LOL Do you ever think about that? My kindergarten class is 24… Trippy!
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Haha! I did the math on that the other day, and my kids (I taught 6th, 7th, and 8th) are now ages 22, 23, or 24, all out of college (I assume). Definitely makes me feel old.
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I love the halfway to 30 perspective…. Only 44… “you’re killing me Smalls ” (Sandlot) Trust me, you’re still a sprig of a girl! :-))
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🙂
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You just keep on getting older, because the options aren’t that good.
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Word.
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I love your necklace Joey, it is so pretty. I am a sentimental person like you and never chuck out anything that I have been given. I love the idea of your mum sending you some Christmas decorations from home, that really is a special gift 🙂
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It really was, Judy, thanks ❤
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Happy birthday…I’m turning 46 on Tuesday…I feel you:)
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I hope you get some sentimental goodies, too, Jami 🙂
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I like sparkly gifts, too! Yours means the world to you, coming from your Mom. Sweet!
My girls and DIL don’t like my old stuff. Sadly, it is a sore subject with me.
My Mom gave me her complete set of silky and long negligees from her honeymoon. She tells me her favorite night gown was wearing Dad’s flannel shirts and raggedy dress shirts. She gave me my Dad’s tiny, handwritten notes of each meal they ate on their honeymoon. I would never, ever not have taken these as she offered them, getting ready to marry at age 22.
Now, what should I do with my first Christmas gifts? They are in an old shoe box carefully wrapped in tissue. I took a photo of Skyler and Micah with some of my parents’ simple Christmas decorations. I’m sure not one of my grandies will want them to pass on.
I guess I took a lot to say, I loved these memories passed on to You, Joey. And how you love having them. hugs xo
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I think taking photos of the younger generations with the ‘old things’ is a great solution.
I’m sorry it’s a sore spot for you. People have their quirks about heirlooms and hand-me-downs, so hopefully you’ll eventually stumble upon something your girls want. I hope.
I’m so glad you understood the ideas I aimed for in my post. I’m glad to count you among the sentimental saps. xo
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Joey, I am definitely a sentimental sap! I am glad you felt that the photos may make it memorable for the grandies.
My parents always expressed their sappy side. Dad read Love Story first and then took us All to see the movie. He cried during the movie and held my Mom’s hand. (Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal.) My brothers are rather nice and sensitive, too. 😊
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Oh I know Love Story, yes ❤
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❤Happy Thanksgiving, Joey and family.
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And to you and yours, Robin ❤
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such a beautiful post, Joey – and i am glad i did not read it before I posted my “wonderful you” poem post cos you might have had me change things or add a whole bunch more to it.
but in that recent post – we are sorta on the same wave length – well with the sentiment and all.
oh and isn’t there a children’s book that says, “love ya to the moon and back.”
It was not one in our big collection, but my step-daughter had it, i think. I was wondering if your necklace was a reference to that between you and your momma.
either way – the necklace is such a fun gift
(and fun how you integrated the “jeez, kid”)
Lastly, your post is a little bitter sweet because when my oldest son was moving out of his apartment this summer he decided to purge almost everything – without checking with us – and I get it – this an adult thing and all – but some of the stuff he flippantly passed on or left behind – were family treasures that others might not even value (which is kind of a point you made here…)
I tried not to ream him, but did let him know how it hurt me a little bit – and I also remembered that his brain is not full grown until 24 – and so these things happen – and maybe even after 24 (but sniff to some of the loss).
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I haven’t read your latest yet.
There is a children’s book called Guess How Much I Love you and it does include Right to the moon/And all the way back. I read that to my kids, but I think it came out when I was grown. I saw a bangle at the mall today with the same phrase, so I think it must be popular right now.
Part of me wonders if my mother bought me jewelry because my father is no longer with me. She’s never bought me jewelry, it feels special in so many ways.
I have a box (per kid) of things I wouldn’t let them pitch. When I am old and half-witted or dead and gone and they still don’t want those things, that’s fine. For now, I hold on, because I know there will be more grandbabies. I’m not a hoarder, I’m a purger, but sentiment is sentiment. Sometimes we just have to sniff.
I keep many of the old things. The old things are part of our family history and special to me.
I gave some dishes to a friend’s daughter years ago, and when she was here a few weeks ago, she told me she still uses them every day. That’s special, too.
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yes…. that is the book – (Guess How Much I Love you) and we might have had a small version of it – but it was not in our fav pile –
and that is interesting about how that phrase might be trending – funny how trends start and stop….
and I think we have a Joey quote to bookmark here: “I’m not a hoarder, I’m a purger, but sentiment is sentiment.”
ahhhh
I am going to use that.
and a long time ago someone told me that 25 was the age of releasing certain gems – or even older – and I can see why – because at 19 and 20 maybe many of us don’t realize the sentiment – but then again – maybe some folks just have more of an open hand – but some items are just “the fabric of the family” and I guess the word is sentiment.
I like the idea of a bin per kid and think I might do that later on. Many things are still in “family” boxes – but that is a really good idea so thanks
(and cool about the dishes – the best way to release treasured items is finding someone who values it…)
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I’m glad you liked so much of what I said. Puts a bit of extra pep in my step today!
I don’t know what the age is. I think some people just don’t ever take up the idea of sentiment.
Personally, I think I will pass on the boxes when they’re settled and stable. For now they’re all still really enjoying their youth. Boy’s 24, but transient with school. Daughter’s 22 but in the midst of balancing acts — and then the wee-er ones are still adding to their boxes, so, you know, garages are good 😛
Oh, and ya gotta look out for people who would sell the gifts. 😦 Oy.
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Oy is right – and Pep came in my step here too ! Ttys
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Your necklace is beautiful, and so are you for appreciating the things that you get. So many gifts are really just acts of faux friendship, but the things from the heart can linger in your life if you let them. Happy Birthday!
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Aw thanks, Ally Bean.
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You and I come from the same planet. I’m just more your mother’s age which requires the math in the head routine. 🙂 I have a smaller tree than the old days when there were actual presents under a tree. These days, cash is king, and that is what they want so they can shop the sales and get more for their money. I can’t fault that, but there is nothing more depressing than a tree reaching to the ceiling without one single present. So, I have a smaller tree, but it contains those ornaments that make me think of individuals as I hang each one. Jane gave me that one, this one is from my Mom, this was my Aunt’s, and this tree topper is an antique because my grandfather gave it to me when I was in grade school. And, please don’t point out it has a pin size hold in it, because I know but that tree topper is going to be there as long as I am. 🙂 A relative, I love dearly, is not a resident of this same planet that you and I come from. One year I bought this small cute ornament box. I put one each of these special ornaments in there and put a cute label on it so she’d know – Grandma, Aunt, etc. She looked at me and the box like I had given her a box of snakes. I’ve never seen one of those ornaments on a tree. LOL 🙂
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OH MY WORD. I am so familiar with that scenario.
I kinda want a new tree topper. Mine is just stainless or chrome or something, and I think I might want a blingy light up star. Sadly, I will have to buy one, and it won’t be special to me at all, lol! But maybe one day the kids will think it’s special, I dunno. I’m glad you have yours 🙂
I’m glad we’re from the same planet. I don’t think too many are.
I don’t like the gift card culture, either. Sad empty trees, indeed.
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I’m afraid I missed it, and if I did, I hope you had a VERY happy birthday.
I’m on the same page about how meaningful it is to give that special sentimental gift of something you already own to someone else. Over the years, I’ve done that many times with my various nieces.
In the few years leading up to my mother’s death, I encouraged her to give away the specific things she wanted people to have. I told her it would be so meaningful to come directly from her, because she wanted them to have it, and she would get the pleasure of giving it to them. Thankfully she took my advice. Her grandchildren were deeply touched ❤️
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Thank you 🙂
I’m so glad you understood and valued the point of my post as well. It’s really just so special to be given something so meaningful, and yes, to SEE the joy and gratitude at the time. I am so glad you feel the same. So glad. Thanks again 🙂
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I will work on that, joey. Our middle child turns 43 in a few weeks. So far, I still welcome the privilege of aging (mostly) well. I’ll do my best to keep your secret.
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Aging is great! My brain enjoys it immensely. My body isn’t always on board, but then, whose is?
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And Happy Birthday :-).
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I love that present from your mother. Nothing more precious than being loved by others and you seem to be rich in it which is lovely 🙂
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Thanks much 🙂
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I know how old your Mama is, ’cause you done tol’ me she’s the same age as I am. I don’t know about her, but I’m halfway to nuts.
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HAHA! She’d agree.
It’s easier for me to math this way — 1949 is one away from 1950 and it’s 2017 so that’s three before 2020, so that’s 67 and then 1 more makes 68.
Because I’ve never been able to do 1973 minus 1949 and adding 28 to my own age now involves carrying.
NOW you’re halfway to nuts! 😛
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LOLOLOLOL! I do 1950 is 50 from 2000 plus 17. And you would add 1 for your mom.
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😀
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Happy Birthday Joey! I love the gift your Mother gave you and you’re right. My home is full of treasures from the people I’ve loved in my life. My favorite is a collection of coins from the year I was born in encased in an acrylic paper weight. It was my Grandmother’s and I got it when she died.
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That does sound like a beautiful gift. It’s wonderful to live among warm memories. Thanks, Robert 🙂
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