In visiting my friend who is in her last chapter of her life, she wanted to share her home with me that I haven’t seen in years….she took me thru room by room and each keepsake, knick knack, piece of furniture, painting, crazy bottle opener, and all that “stuff” that we accumulate throughout our lives. She shared stories and memories with me. Most were about her mother and in each story that she shared, a beautiful smile came across her face…some people would say that is so materialistic and that they are just “things”….but to us……they are pieces of memories in our life……..keepsakes in our heart that help ease the pain of emptiness. You could tell by listening, she was telling me the story of her life….keepsake by keepsake…piece by piece…..I was so honored to be able to hear her life story. I don’t think she realized how much I was taking in. After we toured thru her lovely home and keepsakes, she turned to me and said……this is my home……..this is my life…….we cried and hugged…… and as I drove away, I said to myself…what a beautiful full life story she has…..her home, her walls and tables were not empty, but they were full of keepsake upon keepsake…….her life story……