Keepsake Items

Keepsake Items :

A favorite memory of mine – Camera necklace 

Something that is very important to me now – Rainbow Bear

Hope and Dream for my future – Wooden Giraffe

Keepsake Paragraphs: 

Memory :  

My 15^th birthday was one I will never ever forget. I honestly believe I felt every single emotion possible on that day. That evening our youth from our church had planned to help at the Inner City Youth Alive in the North end. I was very excited because I love hanging out with kids and encouraging them. I was wearing my camera necklace that day and I quickly found out that it was very popular with all the little girls. Every time a girl would come sit on my lap she would make some comment about the camera and usually pretend it was real. I would smile for the tiny camera on my necklace every time they happily said “say cheese!”  The evening was almost over when they made an announcement that there was a very severe thunderstorm warning. We raced into action and quickly got all the kids out the door. I wasn’t at all expecting that we would be walking the kids home...in the North end...in the dark...with a thunderstorm waring. But I couldn’t turn back now, I was already half way down the street. When we were just about to go up to the last house it thundered loud. The kids were almost as scared as me at that point. Just as the last girl had walked in her doorway it poured! All I remember from that point was running full speed, soaked to the bone, through the city. The streetlights reflected on the shiny roads all the way back to the youth center. Now every time I wear the camera necklace I have images of my 15th birthday play back in my head. I’ll never forget it. 

Something Important : 

Everyone has a teddy bear, one that comforts you when your little, and embarrasses you as you grow up even though you love it just as much as you used to, when you first got it. Well, for me that teddy bear was Rainbow Bear. Not a very creative name I know, but I received this teddy bear when I was four from my great aunt. Back then she was a soft and colorful teddy with a pink ribbon around her neck. Now my bear is not as soft as she used to be, her nose is almost rubbed off, and the ribbon is more like threads. Rainbow Bear has been a comfort to me for almost 12 years. I remember having birthday parties and treating her like my best friend. Rainbow Bear has also traveled with me everywhere I’ve ever been. Including Florida, Hawaii, and numerous friends sleepovers. Even though I’m 15 now I still keep my teddy bear close. I’ve connected many memories and feelings to that special bear full of fluff. Rainbow Bear has always had a place in my heart even though it’s a stuff animal which once had a price tag to me that bear is priceless. 

Hope and or dream of the future:

I have always loved Giraffes and Africa. The image of the joyful people and the warm savannas alive with wild animals urges me to visit there one day. One of my dreams is to go on an African safari and to do some sort of mission in Africa. The Giraffe that is in the photo is from Kenya, Africa and was hand carved and painted by a person living there. This item to me reminds me of my admiration of other places, love of giraffes, and passion to help those in need. I know of many experiences where people have gone to Africa to help or teach and amazing things have been done. I enjoy teaching and helping kids in my life now whenever I can so I would love to bless others in that way if possible in Africa. The giraffe to me is also a beautiful work of art and the culture of Africa which I would love to someday experience.