Motherwise Cracks

My kids taught me everything I don't know.

Motherwise Cracks header image 2
← →

An Alien In My Cupboard

October 21st, 2007 · 9 Comments

So we took on the first part of the room cleaning yesterday, and today we are still playing around with the things we found – both my son and me.

Green-eyed monster in my cupboard I have an alien in my cupboard now, a green-eyed monster type, guarding my memories. This little guy is a vestige of my son’s boyhood and I just couldn’t throw him away. It will forever remind me of countless steps upon his thousands of space creatures, aliens, transformers or Lego creations that felt like they’d leave a left permanent impression on our bare soles.
As those days are gone, a bit of melancholy sunk into the day as we cleaned out the things that were part of yesterday. Yes, the clothes that don’t fit were a hoot, the old candy wrappers stuck in nooks and crannies were maddening ( of course, I yelled) and the dissected tampon under the bed was – hmmm – proof of a learning experience, but we both relived some good childhood memories. Sad

What surprised me was to see him handling his “old friends” and every once in a while, stop to spend some more time with them. For old times sake or so it seems.

We got so distracted that the job is only half done. Tonight we promised ourselves that we would finish packing up the “old friends” as he wants to save them for “his kid someday.” I think it really is so that he can sneak in there and check on them himself.

Live long and prosper!

——-

“Oh, for boyhood‘s painless play, sleep that wakes in laughing day, health that mocks the doctor’s rules, knowledge never learned of schools.” ~ John Greenleaf Whittier

Tags: Kids · Life Observations · Moms

9 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Karen Vogel // Oct 21, 2007 at 7:51 pm

    Where do you get all the great quotes that are appropriate to the post subject?

  • 2 Joe // Oct 21, 2007 at 11:38 pm

    I wondered that too. About the quotes. I think that is a great story and how awesome it is to have a reminder right there of your boys childhood. You are a good mom Mary.

  • 3 melissa // Oct 22, 2007 at 11:31 am

    my children love going through old boxes in the basement, every so often. they love rediscovering old toys, thought to be long lost. wonderful post. i really enjoy visiting your blog.

  • 4 Lisa // Oct 22, 2007 at 4:26 pm

    I had one of my daughter’s baby rattles, one that I sent for her while she was still in Guatemala before the adoption, kept in my drawer until she rediscovered it at age 4. Now I can’t find it anywhere! Make sure to lock that cupboard.
    Lisa
    http://www.russianmafiababe.blogspot.com

  • 5 Maryanne // Oct 22, 2007 at 9:46 pm

    I have a collection of about 10 of those Aliens. I got them at a pharmacy years ago from one of those machines in the doorway.

  • 6 Dorky Dad // Oct 23, 2007 at 1:18 am

    I wish I had all my “old friends” to share with my boy — but then all he’d get is a bunch of old, broken crap.

  • 7 Keli // Oct 23, 2007 at 12:04 pm

    That’s so funny! My younger son (16) does the same thing. We go thru stuff and he puts things away as remnants of his long ago “childhood.” Seems like only yesterday… It is hard not to get teary-eyed.

  • 8 Rebecca // Oct 23, 2007 at 7:26 pm

    Sounds like a fun stroll down memory lane. I remember doing the annual or bi-annual deep clean & purge of my room with my mom. She was more the one that held onto stuff than I did but later I was glad she hung onto some things, even if it was just for one more laugh. Good luck on finishing up!

  • 9 Mary // Oct 24, 2007 at 2:53 pm

    Karen and Joe – I Google a lot.

    Maryanne – Thank you! I was trying to remember where we got that alien and you did it. It was from a machine at the grocery store. I no longer have to waste any more time thinking about it. Phew.

    DD- I did have some of my dorky old crap and I gave it to the kids. They laughed and laughed. Then I took it back.