My mom is finally starting to get rid of my dad’s things. He died from cancer 18 years ago. She is very sentimental and kept everything of his, just like it was—clothes in drawers, cigarettes on the headboard, pickup keys on the dryer, everything was just like he left it until she moved several years later.

Even then she packed up all his stuff and kept it. She has moved again, and she is finally parting with some things. She found 5 of his ashtrays (there are 5 kids in the family).

She let us each pick one. None of us smoke, but it’s still nice to have something of his. I picked the pretty crystal one (I’m the only girl, so it just made sense.)

I decided to use it for my jewelry. Each night I pick out my jewelry to wear the next day and put it in a certain spot. Now every day I will think of him (not that I didn’t already.) 💙