Symbols of Different Meanings...

Do you collect something? The past couple years we've done something called "Secret Pal" at work. One of the questions on the information sheet we fill out asks this same question. I usually answered with humor with something like "dust" or "books" but in truth, I never thought I had a collection. 

This past April, a friend gifted me the "Sisters by Heart", one of The Willow Tree figurines. As I unwrapped it and thought, where do I put this?, it dawned on me. On the table in our entryway with the other ones. Hmm...maybe I do collect something? I hadn't intended to, yet God has used the thoughtfulness of others to bless me with these beautiful figurines. Each from a friend and with messages of hope to accompany them.

I don't plan on making a Willow Tree wish list and start becoming a collector, yet I cherish the ones I have and the beautiful meaning each represents. 

Do you see the Woodstock puzzle? That was my sisters and this reminds me of her. The Dreamsicle Angels on the table were gifts of hope in 1994 when Heidi first went missing. 

The framed poem is one I wrote for my mother-in-law, titled, "Thank You is Enough" ~ this reminds me of her and her generous heart. 

The medicine bottle collects our change during the month, then we donate it to the GCW Missions at the beginning of the month. 

The angel Scentsy was a gift from my Aunt Fran after she read Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey, and reminds me of her.

The lamp itself is the very lamp my Gram and Aunt Nancy kept on in the kitchen around the clock. Gram believed you had to leave at least one light on at all times, so others knew they were welcome. Within the basket part of this lamp are different little trinkets that remind me of different people or events in my life.

So I've decided I do collect something...
Reminders of HOPE...ENCOURAGEMENT...LOVE...

What do you collect? Is it a thing or symbol?