The memory we pass down: why we keep objects that remind us of those we love
Almost every family has a drawer, a box, or a shelf where those objects live: a letter, a watch, a blanket, a teddy bear worn from so many hugs. They are not valuable for what they cost, but for who they remind us of. During these days in November, when many people especially remember those who are no longer with us, it is worth asking why we keep so many things that seem small.
An object is a way to stay close
A cherished object holds a specific gesture, voice, or scene. The scent of a scarf or the handwriting on a recipe can bring someone back to us in a second, without explanation. That is why many families keep objects with memories for decades, even when they are no longer used.
They usually have something in common:
– You touch, smell, or hug them: memory also passes through the body.
– They were there for an important moment, such as a birth, a farewell, or a Christmas.
– They are cared for with special affection, even if they are worn.
– Someone chose them with another person in mind.
Memory is passed down through generations
What we keep is not just for us. An object becomes family memory when someone tells us where it came from: “this belonged to your grandmother,” “this is what you fell asleep with when you were a baby.” UNESCO explains this when talking about intangible cultural heritage, made up of living traditions or expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed down to our descendants.
The same thing happens at home, on a smaller scale. The object is the excuse, and what is really passed from one generation to the next is the story that accompanies it.
A baby's first objects also tell a story
A baby's first teddy bear is often one of those objects that stays. It accompanies them through their first nights and their first mornings, and years later their parents are still keeping it. That is why it is worth choosing it carefully, thinking about how it will age through hugs.
With Cookie Mouse, we have taken care of that detail: it is a lovingly made teddy bear, a family project, made in small batches, with a CE mark and tested by TÜV Rheinland according to the EN 71-1, EN 71-2, and EN 71-3 standards. It is washed by hand, so that it stays soft for a long time. Each one has a handwritten serial number, which makes it unique.
Why this idea touches us so deeply
Natalia's Story is the reason Cookie Mouse and this blog exist. Natalia was born in Seville and her time in this world was brief, but she was an attentive and curious girl who almost never cried and who loved teddy bears. Cookie Mouse was born in memory of our daughter Natalia, and also of the people who cared for her: the Natalia's Team page is dedicated to them.
For every Cookie Mouse sold, a portion goes to Corazón y Vida, the association that supports families with children with congenital heart disease throughout Andalusia.
Tell us which object you keep
We all have an object we wouldn't trade for anything. If you like, tell us what it is and who it reminds you of: we would love to hear from you. And if you want to continue getting to know our universe, visit our homepage.
Thank you for joining us, also on the days when we remember those we loved.