Growing up, I always kept a memory book. One part journal, one part scrapbook. The books were stuffed with photos, poems, letters, concert tickets, programs, drawings and mementos. As an adult, I’ve taken my memory books 3D and continued this tradition with my Life Chest.
It’s filled with travel journals from my three trips to China, two expired stamp-filled passports and a photo journal from 10 days scuba diving in Indonesia. There are wrist bands from my role as Crew Chief for my husband’s 320 Mile UltraMan triathlon and the team T-shirts I famously design for his each of his IronMan races. I’m proud to include Art Van Furniture Spring and Fall catalogs and invitations to the 50th Anniversary Gala to represent my work evolving the Art Van brand. There are family photos, the scooter rental receipt from our Caribbean honeymoon, a champaign cork from a special hot air balloon ride in Louisville, KY. Tickets to the Derby, VIP passes the Indianapolis Brickyard 400 and reserved seating stubs to Motown the Musical Detroit Premier. And, a piece of sea glass from Moloka’i, one of my favorite places in the world.
These are the memories, yet I can’t wait to fill it up with what’s to come. My Life Chest reminds me to make it a life worth remembering.
Amelia Tomasi Ellenstein
