Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Souvenir: I Remember

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, 
the things you are, the things you never want to lose.
 ~ The Wonder Years
     Censational Girl is hosting a party about travel souvenirs!  I did not want to miss out on the fun.  
     Pat and I celebrated our 25th Anniversary seven years ago by going on a week long Caribbean Cruise.  It was a special gift from our extended family.  Ordinarily, we go camping with the children.  At that time there were five still at home.  This was a luxurious vacation for just the two of us.  It was amazing.   When we returned I created a small gallery wall in our bedroom for momentos from this wonderful trip.
    I remember that we flew to San Juan on Friday and boarded the ship on Sunday morning.  I am so used to getting up at 5:15 that I got up that day as usual.  What was I thinking?   We had a busy day and by 10:00 pm, I was exhausted.  Pat decided to explore the ship while I got ready for bed.  He hurried back to tell me that I was missing the "Sail Away Party!"  There was a band, champagne, dancing, and all kinds of action going on.  It looked like everyone on the boat was celebrating.  I dragged myself out determined not to miss a thing.  I was asleep on my feet.  Every party has a pooper and that night it was me.  It was after midnight and the party continued in full swing when I gave up and we went to bed.  As it turned out, there was a "Sail Away Party" every night, because we went to a different island every night.  The picture of Pat and I was taken on the ship one evening before dinner.  The pith helmet belongs to my husband, although I wear it to school on "Hat Day."
      I did not want to forget a moment of our trip.  Each morning in the ships library, I wrote in a journal about what we had done and where we had visited the day before.   I tucked in tickets, maps, and menu's.  I framed postcards from Old San Juan and the Fort.  On the shelf is a starfish and a clay Noah's Ark we purchased in Aruba.
      The shadow box holds shells, coins from each of the islands, more postcards, pieces of coral picked up on a beach, our ship id tags, and a bracelet.  We went to a butterfly garden on St. Martin and took a sky ride on St. Thomas.  The pieces of glass are the color of the waters of the Caribbean.
     I included the card that Pat tucked in an anniversary bouquet.  I am so fortunate to have celebrated 32 years with him.  I remember the love of family that sent Pat and I on this remarkable trip and I am so grateful.  Even seven years later - it makes me smile.
     Updated: Also linking to Whimsey Wednesdays.

6 comments:

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Oh, what a sweet post! I love the shadow box you made...what a nice memento. :) How proud you must be to have been married for 32 years. We'll have been married for 11 years in August. :)

binhtheredonethat said...

Hi Mrs.Donna. Thanks for visit my blog. I love your gallery wall, especially the shadow box every personal.

Susan said...

What fabulous reminders of your travels, Donna.You have displayed them so beautifully. Thanks so much for your visit and comment to my beloved blog, too! Come visit any time! Susan

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

Beautiful travel souvenirs! Fantastic post!
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)

Tara Sroka said...

Great shadowbox, did you glue the heavy objects? I'd love to do something like this from my trip to Aruba but wasn't sure how to stick shells.

Unknown said...

Hi Tara. Yes I put a dab of hot glue on the shells and the coins. It's been eight years - wow I can't believe I wrote that! Our 33 anniversary is Saturday. Anyway, it has been eight years and they are still stuck there just fine. Thanks for your question. Let me know how yours turns out.

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