Many months ago Sophie’s Grandma and Paw Paw made her a small treasure box. They painted it to match her room and lined the inside with lovely fabric.
She loves her treasure chest, more so than many of her beloved toys, and is very specific about what’s allowed in it.
The contents change, sometimes daily. But here is an inventory of what it held on Thursday: hair ties and bows; precious change; a Silly Bandz; a beaded tassle; paper hearts sent to me with a holiday Etsy purchase; a wooden jumping jack toy my parents bought her Italy; a glitter snowman necklace from Great Grandma; a pretty rock Daddy purchased at a gaming convention; two handkerchiefs; a fairy, which she found in her stocking; a Barbie shoe; two seashells from baby Hannah; a little wooden lion and change purse—both gifts from Mel and Great Auntie Bear (who are the best treasure box gift givers); a Judy Ditmer handmade top; and a small, handcarved wooden heart.
Sometimes I find a picture of her Aunt Lizzie in it. For a long time she had an empty bag of M&Ms in it. Sometimes she stores her bracelets in it, handmade by Grandma.
For Mother’s Day Sophie gave me a ceramic butterfly bowl, and it came in a very nice box. On a rainy day, I decided to give the box to Sophie, and let her decorate it—another treasure box. She colored the sides, top and bottom, and put glitter butterfly stickers all over it.
Inside we put a postcard map of the United States, two flower petals, seashells, more paper hearts and chocolate. She put this treasure chest in her room as well, but on the floor (Grandma and Paw Paw’s treasure chest, of course, is the only one allowed on her dresser). I thought for sure the chocolate would be gone that night—a late, can’t sleep, secret bedtime treat. But she left it in there (until James, unfortunately, discovered it while I was showering; “Mommy! James has chocolate all over him!”).
I hope she keeps her treasure box, always. I hope she someday finds it, in her attic, on a rainy Sunday, when she’s in her 40s. Upon opening it I hope she’s transported back to now, and that now is a happy time, a time of sorting through her treasures when she should be napping, creating on a rainy day, grateful for all that she’s been given.
“The home should be the treasure chest of living.” —Le Corbusier