P is for pencil box
I wrote this in January while taking the Writing the Heartache Class offered by author Alice Wisler.
Pencil boxes for you
Your pencil boxes no longer hold your stuff.
They served you well for several years.
With Velcro, they kept your TV remote in place.
With a label, they gave a clue to their contents.
When you no longer needed them, I packed them up.
I traveled to another state alone with the stacked boxes.
They contained tiny mementos I wanted with me.
One held pens, you laughed at how I collected them.
A few years later, I moved again with boxes in tow.
This time, I was not alone. I met someone new.
As our households merged, I shared the boxes.
I thought you would understand. The boxes were useful.Â
Today, a little boy stuffs Goldfish snacks into a blue one. Â
He giggles as he closes a red, hinged lid on his crayons.
Each box cost a quarter at a back-to-school sale.
I marvel how something so small stays in my life.
Susanna Leonard Hill
So poignant, Stacy! And really, it is the little things, isn’t it?
Joanna
Cute, Stacey. They still have a great life ahead of them, these pencil boxes!
Stacy Jensen
Thanks Susanna and Joanna. Who knows where the boxes will be next or what they will hold?
Beth Stilborn
Writing the heartache, indeed. Tears and smiles as I read that. Thank you Stacy, for sharing so deeply with us.
Beth K. Vogt
Okay … now you’ve made me tear up over pencil boxes …
Stacy Jensen
Beth and Beth, sorry to make you tear up.
Miranda Paul
The last line gave me goose bumps! This is one of those pieces I bet you took joy in writing. Susanna’s comment is spot on, it’s really all about the little things, isn’t it?
Stacy Jensen
Miranda, Yes. It’s often the little things in life.
Vicki Tremper
Very sweet. My son keeps various collections in his old pencil boxes. Can’t imagine his room without them.
Stacy Jensen
Vicki, I can’t imagine a life without those little boxes now.
Coleen Patrick
Lovely–I feel a little teary too. 🙂
Susanne Drazic
Stacy, that was just so special. I never thought I’d be crying about pencil boxes. Thanks for sharing.
Stacy Jensen
Oh Coleen and Susanne, thanks for stopping by.
catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com
Beautiful!
Stacy Jensen
Thanks Catherine.
Julie Hedlund
This post made my heart ache, but in a good way. Thank you for sharing.
Stacy Jensen
Julie, glad it’s in a good way.
Sheila Seabrook
Such a beautiful memory to carry around with you, Stacy, and such a lovely way to pay tribute to something so special. Thank you for sharing!
Stacy Jensen
Thanks Sheila.
Patricia T.
You could write a story “The Tale of the Travling Pencil Boxes.” Cute poem and so true.
Stacy Jensen
Patricia, They have traveled a lot!
Trisha
I love stationery, pencil cases, all that stuff. There’s just something magical about them and their contents!
Stacy Jensen
Trisha, I have always had a soft spot for office supplies.