The Pleasures of Cherished Belongings and Memories

The simple things bring much comfort

I always saw candy as art.”

– Dylan Lauren

While I was growing up, candy was my favorite thing in the whole wide world. Times were much simpler.

As a kid, I also enjoyed scavenger hunts, which are the physical searching for trinkets. For example, my Aunt Velma planned an Easter egg treasure hunt for my sisters and me for one year.

I thought this was the coolest thing; the treasures were candy and trinkets. You should have seen the end prize; it was a beautiful chocolate Easter egg.

Thinking about this childhood scavenger hunt is a gift in itself, along with these other childhood memories.

My Grandpa’s coin jar

When we were kids, we would ride our bikes all around town. My grandpa’s coin jar always seemed to be filled to the top with coins.

“Grandfathers are just antique little boys.”

– Unknown author

We were always welcome to help ourselves to some change. So, several times a week, we would grab some money and head to the Nickle & Dime store.

Oh, I can even smell the store as I’m sharing it. No, it’s not a sweet candy smell but a smell of the olden days with musty, creaky floors. I wish I could find a candle with this scent.

We would park our bikes out front and walk indoors. The candy was all upfront. Tons and tons. The variety was remarkable. I always loved those candy necklaces. I loved wearing them as I rode my bike because it was a hands-free candy!

My other grandpa’s treat

My other grandpa must not have had much of a sweet tooth. I guess. However, he constantly snacked on dry roasted peanuts. To this day, all I have to do is see a container of dry roasted peanuts, and it takes me back to being five years old again. Oh, the times of my childhood fill me up inside.

My Grandma’s taffy recipe

A couple of times a year, my grandma would make candy with my sisters and me.

The old recipe would keep us busy for hours. We would pull the taffy and add whatever colors of food coloring we desired. Then we would cut it into small pieces and wrap each one in waxed paper. I believed that I was the best candy maker ever.

I found a similar recipe, but we would add the food coloring as we began to pull the taffy.

Even watching this video brings me back to the simpler times:

My Grandma’s candy jar

“Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies.”

– Unknown author

And in my case, candy too!

Just like my grandpa’s coin jar was always full, so too was my grandma’s candy jar.

My grandma always kept the candy jar filled to the top with lemon drops. It always brought me much comfort every time I opened it.

The lemon drops were always a special treat; I’m forever obsessed with anything flavored lemon.

Lemon triggers a sense of hope in me. Hope for simpler times again. It refreshes my soul. So, for me, my family treasure is a lot more than an old wooden candy jar.

I keep it filled to the top with coins in memory of my grandparents. It fills me with love, hope, joy, peace, comfort, happiness, kindness, sweetness, gentleness, and the feeling of abundance.

“Love is the greatest gift that one generation can leave to another.”

– Richard Garnett

There are way more than just some lemon drops in this wooden candy jar any longer; many childhood memories are safe and sound.

Won’t you please share your fondest memories or a family treasure?

Thank you Trista Signe Ainsworth and team at Thank You Notes Publication for this writing prompt to share a precious treasure.

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