This is the site of my most cherished childhood memories. A little green and gold house on Settles street in Big Spring, Texas. This unassuming home belonged to my great Aunt and Uncle. This couple, unable to have children of their own together, gave so much to the children of others. My siblings and I basically grew up here, wanting to spend every moment we could in this home so full of fun, laughter, whimsy, imagination, love and safety. Everyone that knows me is aware that the childhood of myself and my siblings was not easy, but time spent in this house, with two incredible people, made that all dissolve into the background.
Aunt Pat and Uncle Scotty passed away in 2006. This post is about trying to cling to memories that made me who I am today.
Belongings from our loved ones act as tangible reminders of their presence on earth, and it is human nature to want to hang on to these things. Sadly, in order to obtain these precious talismans, my Aunt and I found ourselves at the estate sale of the green and gold house on Settles Street.
I wish that I could accurately describe the feeling of going through your childhood sanctuary with strangers, pilfering through that which you hold so dear. Realizing that many of the things you had your heart set on keeping had already be taken. Unnatural is most fitting. Surreal.
These are the treasures I rescued.
I realized when I got them all home that, out of that house, without my Aunt and Uncle, these objects had lost some of their magic. You can never really go back home as they say. Still, though they are merely trinkets, they are my treasures and are more special to me than I can ever truly say.
This is dedicated to Aunt Pat and Uncle Scotty. Thank you for the laughs, and most importantly, all the love. You are sorely missed.
