Bear with me…this is a long one…
After arguing with my daughter this morning about the benefits of cleaning her room (i.e., “you can stop asking me where everything is”); she stomped to her room!
Later, I looked in her room and became misty-eyed.
Lo and behold, she cleaned her room…but inside of boxes and on the outside of boxes were all the things I love! Her “bear-bear”, her dolls and numerous other toy treasures!
Packed up memories…
For any parent, well some of us at least, seeing your little one grow up and storm into adolescence is challenging at best! I captured this moment in my journal along with this sketch; (I don’t generally go into her messy room, because I have fit every time I do)…sketching always calms me down!
So, long story, short…here is my rendition of “packed“. Packed memories, packed feelings, packed toys, packed childhood, packed teenager, and packed Mom!
I’m sitting in my bedroom, on my bed, now “un-packing” the memories of her babyhood…smiling with some tears…
Today, love all the little ones in your life and pack every moment full of memories…Peace.
in with the misfits said
Aw, so cute. I'm a real sucker for bears! What a touching story to accompany it too.:)
Ginger*:)* said
How touching! I can relate even though my children are now having children of their own. How nicely you created this illustration with such a loving memory.
goooooood girl said
Very good……
Ces said
It is always sad to see the little ones grow up and then they let go of their toys. I salvaged my children’s toys. They are in my office. The dollhouse is in the living room. Keep some of her toys Indegene.
Cathy said
That’s actually really moving, as well as fun!
Kris-Tea said
Nice story 🙂 The little bear’s adorable
Vanessa Brantley Newton said
So you made me misty eyed reading this article. My, but they do grow up so fast and I think you’re illustration will touch even more people. This is so sweet and very well thought out. I really love when a piece moves me. This does. This is so sweet!
Teri C said
Oh gosh, I know exactly what you mean including the tears. Such sweet memories.
Perfect for IF this week.
Cookie Sunshine said
I think this one was just wonderful. It’s so personal. I love it.
PotatoMamma said
Hey Indigene, sweet story! My mum kept all our kid toys, she still clings to them – they’re in our attic. Before you’re sure about really not needing them, I’d keep them.
Cute illustration!
PS don’t be too worried if she protests cleaning – teenagers do change into adults, haha
carga said
very nice, tender story and illo.
Kat Hannah said
transitions can be hard on the heart…wonderful sentiment and sweet illustration
Rowena said
Wow, that’s so amazing. I’m still in the place of potty training. I can hardly imagine being in your place, but I know it will come.
And thanks for stopping by my blog. You know I used to blame this paternalistic society for why there were not more women artists, and I think that’s historically part of it, but I never factored in this bump motherhood puts into our creativity.
I guess life is not simple.
Eric Wieringa said
I love art that is personal. Great job.
Shiva said
It touches my heart ….so sweet..so nice 🙂
Sylvia Jenstad said
Very cute and the bear…and your story… what more can I say…
Parrman said
Great story and what an emotional day!
Love the little face poking out of the box. My little one is only 5 weeks but I can’t already feel the tears welling up inside me about having to let go…Still I think I have a good way to go yet!
Elise's Art Garden said
Lovely thoughts! I remember rocking my second son one morning when he was a wee baby, and a thought coming to me as I held him there, that one day I would wish I could have this time again…….and for the rest of the day I treasured all the little things. Of course it wasn’t long before I was caught up in the world and life…but for that short time I was able to appreciate what was mine right then! I love that you “illustrated” that memory.
studio lolo said
I can’t bear to see discarded toys by the side of the road, or at yard sales and thrift stores. It’s like giving your children away. I know it’s a right of passage for some people though. Save the bear!
beautiful post Indigene 🙂
artsymommachic said
awwwww not packed Mom! I know it feels like it right now but it’s not!
Great drawing!
Thanks for the comment on mine too!
Bee said
A touching post (and cute bear!)
Sarah Ackerley said
Hey, thanks for all the encouragement on my blog! That made my day 🙂 I’m glad you like my work.
This is a cute one. I like how you pair colors and greyscale in your work. Cool style!
soulbrush said
this wrenched at my heart strings….what it is to be a mother?
ValGalArt said
oh, this is such an endearing and moving post and illustration. I got a little tear 🙁 Sweet and gentle my friend 🙂
Diana Evans said
what a lovely story…thanks for sharing it …being a Mom is the greatest gift in the world!!!
Memories to last a lifetime…
Hugs
Diana
Gai said
amazing what comes up with a word isn’t it? I love this illo, very poignant to our memories. I am thinking now about the boxes of packed with drawings from my children’s early years. mmmm
Fourborne said
I am there with you (4 daughters). Nice thought.
Honor Bowden said
Wonderful post once again.
Nicola said
Beautiful illo and deeply touching story!
Alina Chau said
Nice drawing!
isay said
what a beautiful post.
kathy hare said
beautiful Indigene, as always..
Toby Dixon said
Thanks for looking at my picture. You have a really interesting blog here!
NANCY LEFKO said
lovely memories and illustration !!! sometimes I want to squeeze my youngest and keep him from growing up 🙂
Amy C said
so sweet and such a touching story.
Thanks for visiting me!
Ian Caulkett said
A lovely sentiment! 🙂
Made me think of my mum holding on to all of my old drawings.
atomicvelvetsigh said
aww.. this is a lovely post and illo for your daughter! time flies indeed and how kids grow up so fast.. my baby is also turning 7 next month and gee it was just like yesterday when i held him in my arms so fragile and so small.. now naughtiness aside, i still grab each chance i get to hug him and smother him with kisses.. coz only time can tell when he will start to “not like” that anymore. 8) thanks for sharing this lovely memory which made us also remember our “packed past”..
Bella Sinclair said
Awww, that’s a truly tender drawing. How sad. My oldest is still a tween, but I can smell teenage angst right around the corner.
I hope your daughter only packed her treasured childhood belongings to spite you (wait, that didn’t come out right). I remember that I still hung onto a few childhood favorites until I graduated college.
Random York said
Hi Indigene! That is a sweet message and illustration. My daughter just started college and I miss her- even more when I see all of those stuffed animals and little childhood toys that are still hanging around. Thank you for the birthday wishes- it’s tomorrow and I have planned out a day of chocolate cupcakes, coffee, and barbeque! I’ll feel like Bella Sinclair’s illustration by nighttime!- John
Shannon Melville said
That is a cute picture, it is a shame people pack up their toys! maybe i am just unsual but I am 29 and still have some teddy bears in my room! i don’t think i ever wanted to grow up!
Flying Colors said
This is one of the more beautiful packed illos out there, both in content and execution…
The drawing, sketch, painting is fabulous, just love the feelings here.
Thanks Indigene 🙂
aimee said
this drawing touched me so much. my oldest daughter is six and my youngest is two. some days i so desperately want them to grow up, such as this very moment when i have just finished cleaning a tube of diaper rash cream off the sofa. but when i start packing up their old things to give away, it hits me like a rock: they’re growing up, and before i know it their childhoods will be gone. what a beautiful, emotional piece 🙂
Michael O'Connell said
my goodness… how touching… and how it hits home… my daughter is almost 12… she has been hyper-organized all her life… until now… she is still way more tidy than most adults I know… myself included… i have a box of things that she has put in the donate pile since the age of 4… i just couldn’t part with them…
thanks for the visit… and the kind words… and for making me think…
Jampickles said
thanks for the comment!:)
saw your “packed” entry, i can also relate to your illo. i love toys myself. i weeped when i lost most of my toys in a grage sale my parents put up when we moved to another country…i long to find those lost toys again..luckily, i saved some of my favorite toys. the little ones that i really loved playing with! i gave some of it to my 3 yr old daughter n she loves them just the same! i love buying toys up to now. i believe they’re a big part of a person’s happy childhood. 🙂
Rrramone said
Good advice. 🙂
Paola said
Ohhh! I understand you very well. Watching them grow is a blessing but sometimes it would be nice to to stop time, rewind and be able to live memories again.
When my elder son was beginning to say good bye to his toys the younger begun playing with them, so it was easy…
Now I have to recognize that his new stuff is asking for more room, but neither him, nor I have the heart to pack old toys still, we are procrastinating the moment.
Nevertheless I think I will try to rescue as much as I can. May be one day I will be a granny and new tiny hands will find joy with these old toys.
I hope there are lots of wonderful memories in the future ready for us to unpack them 🙂
Godheval said
It’s weird reading this blog. Like it’s written by someone I don’t actually know – a second story.
Sarah said
Thanks for your lovely comment Indigene. Your fruit looks delicious!