A story in this week’s Wall Street Journal by Demetria Gallegos asked readers a provocative question…” What Memento Do You Want To Be Remembered By?” Their responses from readers ranged from classic books to images that framed the users in a more youthful time to family heirlooms…most, almost all were physical items rather than virtual ones, and no one said, “These images on my smartphone.”
At the end of many of our podcasts we ask a similar question…”What’s On Your Mantle?” and our query lets our guests think about not an actual item, but something stored in the memory that always makes them smile…a place, a gathering, an event, an experience…almost as much or sometimes even more than an actual item that is sitting around. Ironically for all the Emmy, Tony, Championship ring winners we have had on the podcast, I can’t remember anyone who actually pointed to a formal award, and said “That’s my thing.”
More often than not people smile, breathe a little deeply and look around the room for something that is usually priceless. Once in a while it’s a collectable from an experience they led or had, but even then it’s not something that’s going on an auction block. It may actually have little monetary value, but the path to acquire it, which includes all the sweeping memories and the people along the way, is again priceless. This week in class, a student asked my colleague Ray Negron a similar question. After working for the Yankees for over 50 years, championship ring on his finger and everything, he was asked what is he most proud of. His answer? “My kids.”
I don’t actually remember how or why we started asking the question. I believe it was while we were talking with a colleague who had a vast collection of stuff on his bookshelf behind him, and the question came naturally. The response, I’m sure, was not about the items, it was about the journey, one that we can usually only have ourselves, even if we are in a stadium of 100,000 people. That’s the beauty of showing up, the beauty of shared experience, the beauty of being there when it happens. It brings us together, and gives us those mementos, tangible, emotional, invaluable, that we take with us wherever we go.
What’s on your mantle? I’m sure its priceless for you. Don’t trade it for anything.
