Lessons Learned from Death

Here's a pithy lesson I've learned since my mother's death:

• If I own something of sentimental value, I need to remember that item doesn't retain its story after I'm gone. That item becomes just a "thing" without its story, regardless of its monetary value. If I want someone to value that item for a specific reason other than money, I need to tell someone the story behind that item. Even then, I must remember that the person who's listening may not care about that story. The story is mine, really. The thing is just a thing.

Do you want to know my story? May I hear your story? Will we value each other more because of that sharing?