Oh my gosh! I love this. When I first started teaching in the 1970s, I was issued a Swingline black stapler. It was a beast of a stapler and also could have been used as a weapon. Later in the 1980s, I had an office supply salary (instead of being supplied with one) and I bought my own Swingline, but this time a red one to make it stand out. I wrote my name on a slip of paper and adhered it with tape to the top. I would not let anyone borrow it unless I knew them well and they left collateral. LOL No one doubted who that stapler belong to, and when I retired from 32 years of teaching, I brought that red Swingline stapler home with me. Signature and legacy items. I will allow one of my nephews to inherit it when I die. Loved your story. Made me smile.
This is a wonderful keepsake and memory. It's funny how little objects can stir up such vivid memories. I don't have a lot of "stuff" from my childhood, but memories like yours bring to mind my Dad's basement office, the stapler and adding machine that of course we were forbidden to touch but ... we never broke either tho so unsure if he ever really knew. Thank you!
I know that stapler. :) I love the part about the Avon bags and delivery day (although I was the "Avon Lady" in our house--a summer job). And the metaphor for the stapler keeping memories together is lovely and it warms my heart. ♥
Oh my gosh! I love this. When I first started teaching in the 1970s, I was issued a Swingline black stapler. It was a beast of a stapler and also could have been used as a weapon. Later in the 1980s, I had an office supply salary (instead of being supplied with one) and I bought my own Swingline, but this time a red one to make it stand out. I wrote my name on a slip of paper and adhered it with tape to the top. I would not let anyone borrow it unless I knew them well and they left collateral. LOL No one doubted who that stapler belong to, and when I retired from 32 years of teaching, I brought that red Swingline stapler home with me. Signature and legacy items. I will allow one of my nephews to inherit it when I die. Loved your story. Made me smile.
Well, then you have to read the other stapler story!
https://open.substack.com/pub/thekeepthings/p/mommoms-stapler?r=k86rn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
This is a wonderful keepsake and memory. It's funny how little objects can stir up such vivid memories. I don't have a lot of "stuff" from my childhood, but memories like yours bring to mind my Dad's basement office, the stapler and adding machine that of course we were forbidden to touch but ... we never broke either tho so unsure if he ever really knew. Thank you!
I know that stapler. :) I love the part about the Avon bags and delivery day (although I was the "Avon Lady" in our house--a summer job). And the metaphor for the stapler keeping memories together is lovely and it warms my heart. ♥
Memory and how it meanders about—an odd pronounciation, headscarves, coming right up, love! Wonderful.
Great tie in ending, "stapled" to the beginning!
So lovely. Knowing you for all these years and still learning about you. The way you create the past to share so vividly in words.
I love how you began with a stapler metaphor and ended with one too. Beautifully written.
I love this story.
Treasured memories of mom’s life. I enjoyed this
Perfect. Just perfect.
Thanks for this brilliant meditation on things held together with staples and memories. :)
I could smell those Avon bags with the samples, brings me right back to the '70's. Thank you for sharing The Stapler memories with us.