378. Why Dragonflies

I was recently at an appointment and saw the above-pictured metal dragonfly, a decoration on the waiting-room table. I took a photo of it because dragonflies always remind me of my bonus mom. When I sent her the photo with a note saying that this made me think of her, she replied that dragonflies always make her think of me because, long ago, I decided that dragonflies were her symbol.

Record scratch. I've spent four decades thinking that I was following her lead, when the whole time, she's been following mine. I pondered that switcheroo for a while and decided that no matter what happened all those years ago--did she say, "Oh, look, a dragonfly," to me, and I decided forever to link her with these beautiful, delicate creatures? I don't know--it's a great thing that it did happen because it's really nice to have things out there in the universe that recall people we love to us.

When our younger daughter was born, we were given a poster of the moon chart for the year of her birth. It's been framed in her room for her whole life. Whenever my husband and I see moon charts, we think of her. Of course, it's possible she could have grown up thinking, "There's nothing I hate more in the world than moon charts," but well, I'm glad that didn't happen. In fact, she's one of those people who can usually name the phase of the moon on any given day. But that's beside the point, which is that I'm glad that there's something out there that reliably reminds me of her, even if she didn't pick the original object.

This week, with both of their birthdays (HBD, PFG and EKO!!), I don't need any random objects to call them both to mind, but I like knowing that the world is filled with mementos that spread warm feelings in me because of their associations with people I love.

Do you have such objects/images in your life? Things that recall a loved one, even though you don't exactly know why? Please share any stories in the comments.