14 Comments
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Karen G Berry's avatar

This was fascinating. I keep books because of this; titles alone don't help me remember, but holding a book does. How lovely to keep people this way.

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Adam T's avatar

Thanks for reading, Karen!

Perhaps you will need a vault soon?

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Allison Lau's avatar

Adam, this is so beautiful. I love the ways in which physical mementos hold the stories and essence of the people attached to them. It feels like they're an anchor to your memories, grounding them back to a single focus point.

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Siham Lee's avatar

This was so touching, and beautifully written. I feel like writing is similar to this, sometimes, when one writes not to forget the small things. It also reminded me of a small notebook I once had, many many years ago, when I travelled Europe and kept meeting new people every day. I didn't want to forget who they were, so I started writing down a list of names. Sometimes I'd add where we met, or how, or something that stood out about them. It was a long, long list. I should've been smarter, like you, and kept it closer.

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Adam T's avatar

Luckily there is 170 countries left to fill hundreds of notebooks with. :)

Thanks for sharing your story, Siham!

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Michael Horvich's avatar

WOW. I consider myself a collector but the idea of collecting in this way never occurred to me. I have a friend who collects dirt from places, local or national or international, he visits. I collect small things. Someone else I know collects her verbal reminiscences. Another friend collects her toe nails? But to be a Collector of People (Not like in museums :-) is a wonderful departure from collecting as I know it. Thank you Adam for sharing this part of you and for enriching my life. Come visit me if you would like to add my website address to your collection. I would like that. http://www.horvich.com Fondly, <Michael

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Adam T's avatar

Michael, it's always a delight to read your comments. I'm really glad you liked this. Your examples made me smile, especially the dirt and the reminiscences. I’ll take a look at your website; it’ll fit neatly on the shelf.

Shabat Shalom!

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Brittany Miles's avatar

Truly lyrical, the unwinding of experience. Good writing.

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Delia Lloyd's avatar

This is lovely

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Kelly Bunch's avatar

This is so endearing.

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Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

I love this! Yes! The archive of life. I have something similar.

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Adam T's avatar

Awesome! Do you also keep notes?

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Dorie Snow/雪多丽's avatar

I do, I have quite a few notebooks that have become fully crafted moments and people I’ve met. I’ve also done a few pieces about my family. One was an archive assignment for my gender studies class last year that became a part of the family genealogy.

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Adam T's avatar

Family archive! sounds really amazing! Thanks for sharing.

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