Anwika Palle Week 14 - Sentiment
It is funny how objects and moments that seem insignificant to some can hold a lot of sentiment to other individuals. This plane that is seen in the image below is one of those examples that apply to me.
In case you couldn’t tell, this is not a real plane. It is a toy plane that my dad bought in the LAX airport the first time he came to the United States. At the time, I was a six-month-old child in India who had never left the country. My dad went to LA on a work trip and came back within a few weeks, which was when he gifted my brother and me this toy.
We ended up moving to the United States many months later, but when my father bought the toy, none of us had any idea that we would be making a huge move across the world (especially my parents, since they spent a majority of their life in India). Growing up, my family’s transition from India to America did not strike out to me, since I was only one years old. The only home I remember being raised in is my home here, although my family makes frequent visits to India every couple of years, and it definitely does feel like home when visiting my grandparents. My closest friends know that nothing in my house tends to stay put and organized for all these years, so the sentimental value of the toy is seen in just the presence of it showcased in my living room today. Although my young-age did not allow me to remember this moment, this toy holds the meaning of my family’s journey to moving to the United States, something that I want to hold with me for the rest of my life.
Hi Anwika,
ReplyDeleteI can relate. When I was born, my grandmother stitched together a blanket for me that was about 4 feet long and 4 feet wide. That blanket was the only possession I truly called mine, and I cherished it. When I was three years old, I went to Disneyland for the first time. When we spent the night at the hotel, I immediately asked my mom where my blanket was. She told me that she had not brought it along. I simply could not comprehend it. Needless to say, I had no sleep that night. This persisted for a while, all the way until I was nine or ten years of age. By age thirteen, I had outgrown the dimensions of the blanket; it only covered about 4/5 of my body. To the surprise of my grandmother, I still sleep with it to this day. She expected for it to be thrown away long ago, but it still has value to me. And I don't intend for that to change.
Sincerely,
Sean Wang
We have a couch at home, and I think my parents actually used that couch since before I was born. I do know for sure that the couch had been used in the old apartment we used to live in. It's in tatter's now—filled with pen marks from the contraptions my brother and I had come up with. Last year, we got our cats, and since then, cat scratches have slowly accumulated at the side of the couch. However, whenever I asked about replacing the couch, mom would respond with a firm "no." The couch was precious, and its been with us for years. Though it functions, it really is a sight for sore eyes. I have pretty much accepted it as a relic of nostalgia that will remain at the foreground of our living room, but I can't help but turn away from the accumulation of rips at its side.
ReplyDeleteHey Anwika, I can really relate. I have a lot of little, otherwise insignificant items that hold a lot of value. I have a stuffed toy of Angel from Lilo and Stitch that my dad brought back from his two-year-long stay in Japan when I was just a few months old. It may just be a stuffed toy, but it's been with me through everything and still is to this day. I find it really interesting that our minds can make such a deep connection between inanimate objects and complex emotions. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Anwika,
ReplyDeleteYour toy plane holds a very sentimental story, even if you don't remember all the details. I also have objects that remind me of particular moments in life, but not specific memories. For example, I have a mini decorative Ferris Wheel sitting on one of my shelves. It was given to me by my childhood friend for my 13th birthday. It reminds me of exploring the town by taking the bus to various places with my friend during the summers. Those are some memories I will never forget, and the this small Ferris Wheel will always remind me of them.
Hi Anwika,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog post very touching. Like you, there are many objects in my house which I cherish for their sentimental value. An example is the rakhi (thread bracelet) my little cousin sister had given me as a gift. It was one of the most heartwarming gifts I've ever received, and I have it stored today at the top of my bookshelf. I hope that as I grow older, I'm able to collect more objects to remind me of the moments important to my life.
Sincerely,
Krish
Hi Anwika,
ReplyDeleteI find that sentimentality is something that I have trouble dealing with. Often, I get so attached to so many objects that my bedroom and workspace become a mess. I have a difficult time determining what I need to get rid of, which is why I often have to spend a dedicated day cleaning up junk. It's touching that you are willing to share the story behind such a sentimental object to you. Thank you for sharing!
Sincerely,
Raymond Yu
Hi Anwika,
ReplyDeleteI have a similar artifact of my childhood. I have a teddy bear that I have had since my literal birth. My parents affectionately dubbed this stuffed animal "熊哥哥," which translated directly means "Big Brother Bear." According to my dad, he was named this since when I received him, I was approximately the same size as him, which is pretty crazy to me now looking back. Everyday, 熊哥哥 sits on my nightstand, and every morning when I wake up, I give him a little pat on the head to start my day. He truly is a reminder of not just my childhood, but all of my life in general. He has travelled the world with me, to Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and countless different states in the United States.
Yi-Kuan C.
Hi Anwika,
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I literally remember nothing from when I was a little child; I remember just a few things from 5th grade and a lot of things from 6th grade until now. I really do not have great memory when it comes to lifetime things.
Sincerely,
Vivan Waghela
Hey Anwika!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute story. I love that the toy plane holds so much significance. It is crazy how seemingly insignificant objects or things can hold such intense memories person to person. For me personally, I really associate most big moments or memories with songs. I think it is such a cute human tendency to romanticize objects through the memories tied to them. This was a really cool story, thanks for sharing queen