To the question “What should I keep?” Rachel, from her own experience of the loss of her husband when their daughter was only 2 years old answers “If it tells a story or provides a connection to a loved one KEEP IT.”

She keeps her daughters shoes from the day her husband died 28 years ago. It reminds her of the sweet family unit they had all made, though short… she cherishes them…

In her shock when her husband died suddenly, she asked everyone in sight a question, that she vaguely remembers asking… “Who will walk her down the aisle?” A strange ? considering their daughter was only 2…. but…

Her daughter got married during the pandemic… and after listening to her Mom’s talks & Rachel’s efforts in keeping the memory of her father alive over all these years she figured out a way that her dead father could “walk” her down the aisle….

Find out more about this beautiful human, my friend Rachel Kodanaz here: https://www.rachelkodanaz.com/

As someone who has held space for people to share stories of the Things that matter, I love Rachel’s approach with her book Finding Peace, One Piece At A Time: https://www.rachelkodanaz.com/more-info

This short story was clipped from my live virtual Show & Tale: Significant Objects in the fall of 2021 which encourage us to build connections, community & legacy one story of stuff at a time. ___________________________________________________________________________

Join me at my next LIVE Show & Tales: https://www.showandtales.com/events/ Hire me to host your next employee, volunteer, donor appreciation gathering, family, friend or college reunion, team building event & kickoff for your conference or retreat https://www.showandtales.com

And if you identify as different, an outsider, outlier, quirky etc and want to join a community of fellow WEIRDOS (Where Every Individual Remembers Doing Original Stuff) learning to market themselves in a way that feels do AND does good…. check out my online community of Show & Tales story-sharing hosts.

You CAN enjoy marketing yourself and invite in abundance. Find out more: https://www.showandtales.com/community/