
It all started one night while I was putting Aria to bed. She was fussy and just would not lay down and relax like usual. I asked her what was wrong and was surprised when she ran out of the room to get a box filled with odds and ends. She was content and called it her little box of treasures and that my friends gave me the idea for this episode.
The box she went to get was nothing special, it was a little lock n lock container that is way too small to hold anything. She slept with it all night, content as could be. In the morning I took a look at what was inside. The little box held two bracelets, a bath toy, several paper clips, a squishy toy, and other random things she had collected throughout the day. As I looked closer at the items, two thoughts came to mind. One was: why would my daughter pick these items out of the thousands of things she had access to and two why would she chose the absolute smallest box in the whole house.
When she woke up, I was sure to ask her. Our conversation went something like this: “Why are these toys in this box?” I asked. These my treasures she replied. Don’t you have any other treasures? Uh huh, but these are my favorite. So I explored further, “Why is this one your favorite?”, “because it’s squishy”, “and this one?”, “it’s yellow”. The reasoning she gave behind was so simple and pure. It truly warmed my heart to see just how thoughtful she is at only 3. It also got me thinking. What would be in my treasure box? What would it look like and what would be my reasons behind each thing?
My Perfect Treasure Box
It I were to describe my perfect treasure box, it would be something simple. Like a nice wooden box with maybe some flowers carved into the top. Of course there would be some type of sparkle to it because I love good sparkly things. I don’t think my box would be as small as my daughter’s because at this point I don’t yet have it all figured out as to what would be in my box. However, I picture the same size as a shoe box. I feel that is a nice size without being too overdone.
What about you? Take a second and think about what your box would look like? Would it be simple or fancy? Design or no design? Extra things or not? What size would your box be? Tiny, medium sized, or actual treasure chest size? I really think the way your treasure box would look has a hidden attachment to your overall sense of style and the way you live your life. So, now that you have designed your own treasure box, let’s talk about what I would put in mine.
What Would Your Treasure Box Have?
First things first, I would have a picture of my little family including my fur babies. I would also have tons of pictures: from our wedding day, of my relatives who have past away, and of some of my childhood memories. I would also have a sunflower, love letters from my hubby, crafts that Aria has made, and mementos from all the trips we have taken from our years together.
Now, I’m gonna ask you: what would be in your box? Would you have your diplomas? Car keys? House keys? Pictures of your significant other and/or kids? Special memories from when your loved ones were still alive? Letters from your parents or significant other? Little things from your kids? Something that represented you and what you stand for?
Now, that you know what I would have in my box of treasures, Let me tell you my reasons behind each one. The obvious reason for my pictures of my family and pets are because I love them and would not be who I am today if I didn’t have them in my life. Pictures from our wedding day because it was the first day that we officially became our own family. Pictures of my loved ones who have past because I want to remember them forever. My childhood memory photos because I had some awesome adventures when I was little. My parents took me to Sea World, South Carolina, the zoo, all over the place.
But, I would also have pictures from our home like the one of me setting up my own grocery store, getting my face painted liked a reindeer and a tiger, and when I made my own binoculars and made everyone try them. A sunflower because those are my absolute most favorite flower. Love letters from my hubby, I know it sounds cheesy but he wrote me a letter every day for the first three years we were together and yes I still have them. Crafts that Aria has made at daycare, the library, at home, everywhere because those are precious.
Side note: My mom and dad always kept everything I made or did from birth until my last year of high school. On my graduation day they gave me a few totes full of all my items and I absolutely loved it, so I want to do the same for her. Mementos from our trips, we have gone to so many states together and in every state we always stop and get something small, mostly bells to add to my collection. Each trip had a special memory as one we normally always get lost and two we almost always end up with a ticket lol but that is a story for a different day.
So now, think about the items that you put into your little box of treasures. Why are they in there? Why are they special to you? Do they hold tremendous meaning? Or do they remind you of something that you don’t want to forget? Do they help make you who you are today?
Final Thoughts on Treasure Boxes
I know this episode is shorter than most, but I feel that it holds the most meaning. I knew when I saw my little girl carrying in her box of treasures for the night, that it had to be shared.
As grown ups we don’t really or at least I don’t think about the things that helped shape me into who I am today. Seeing her with her treasures also helped remind me to stay humble and true to myself. At any time, things and objects can be taken away. What if you only had what was left in your little box of treasures. That would be a different perspective on things. Material items don’t really mean that much. Not as much as the people who are in your life, the people that you can’t live without.
I am so grateful that I get to look at the world through my 3 year olds eyes every once and a while to see what I am missing. We are so busy trying to run here and there when we really should be asking ourselves what we really should be focusing on is at home. I am also so blessed that I get to share my 3 year olds perspective on life with you guys. I feel that we all need a little toddler in our lives.
If you enjoyed this episode be sure to share that you are listening and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @tinytikesteacher so that I can connect with you! I love seeing how you much you enjoy these episodes! Peace, love, and treasure boxes.