finding real sentimental treasures
Today my son texted me and my mom,
“I found this V pin at an antique store, so I bought it.”
The V Pin
In the text photo was a tarnished gold V.
Between the V stood an eagle perched on an anchor.
And, under the eagle were the raised words US Merchant Marine.
The letters were worn down the way a well circulated coin
smooths out over the years.
My mom texted back,
Terrific find of a V-pin!
Look at the back.
If the clasp is shiny, you have a reproduction.
If it is discolored or rusty, it is real.
Remember, the last real ones were made in 1945,
so they are at least 78 years old.
Almost my age, since I was born during WWII.
My son replied,
It looks discolored, so I think it’s real.
That’s great to know for when I find more in the future.
My Mother Vee
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
With that the US entered WWII.
My mother was born the following month in Hawaii.
She was named V (Vee) for Victory.
She’s collected these V for Victory pins most of her life.
I have a See’s candy box in my closet at home with well over 100 V pin treasures that my mother and other family members have found.
That box contains the most cherished of my mother’s belongings.
She gave it to me when I helped her move out of her large house into her small retirement living apartment.
With each passing year the pins have gotten extremely rare and hard to find.
The Real Treasures
But, of course, it’s these interactions between grandson and grandma
that are the real sentimental treasures.
Two distant generations working towards the same goal.
The love of the hunt shared by both.
It makes me remember the time my parents took us to see the sunken remains of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor.
My son was only in elementary school at the time.
But, it made a big impression on him.
He wrote a poem about the bombing of the Arizona for English class,
He also wrote about his great-grandfather, my mother’s father
who had to step down from public office during the war, because of anti-Japanese sentiment.
Remember, life is made of good and not so good moments.
Your Focus, Your Choice
You can focus your attention on the stressful events or on these little special moments that weave your family together.
It’s your choice which ones you choose to focus on.
Most of the time, I choose the little treasures like the one I received today.
I’ll remember this interaction between grandson and grandmother every time I look at my mother’s V-pin collection.
If you’re ready to let go of the stress of caregiving and find more of these
special jewels, I can help you find your happy place.
Happy places are the best, aren't they?
xoxo Lani
