My object is a pin attached to a panel that reads in script “One step at a time is all it takes to get there.” It is roughly 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. The turtle has an amber-colored stone as its shell and little rhinestones for its feet and head; the rhinestone for the head is missing. As I turned the panel to see the back (something I would rarely do if I wasn’t trying to describe this object in full detail) I noticed that the sides are covered in tape that I used to stop the layers of paper from peeling apart. The back also has a logo with a picture of a cherub that reads “The Original Guardian Angel” and below it, “Everybody needs one.”
This pin was given to me from my late grandma when I was very young, probably around 6 or 7 years old. I loved the turtle (as I had an affinity for turtles at the time) and the little inch-by-inch square scene it was attached to. At that time I played with it, twisting the pin in the back to make the turtle rotate back and forth, as if it were swimming in its tiny seascape.
As I got older, through all of the redecorations and changes made to my room, the pin always stayed with me, in the second drawer of my nightstand. As I began to love reading I used it as a bookmark many times. I have never actually worn the turtle as a pin and it has always been attached to its paper.
I love the quote on my pin/bookmark, as it is very motivational to me. I have always had a hard time accepting that large, daunting tasks can be broken down into simple steps, and that those small steps can accumulate into something great, colossal even. I have a tendency to get too caught up in details or get overwhelmed by the apparent enormity of certain obstacles or goals, and this serves as a reminder for me to break it down into small, doable steps.
When my Grandmother died of Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2003, the pin had even more significance to me. She was the most elegant, blessed, strong person I have ever known. Knowing that she, a woman who prevailed with grace through such tragedies, believed in me is a constant source of my personal strength and inspiration. My family members often tell me that I remind them of her and I take that as a great honor.
This odd object that has never actually been used as it was supposed to be is now attached to a book stand on my desk in my dorm room, so I can look at it and remember how to tackle stressful obstacles in my life, and that my grandmas strength, grace, and vitality resonates inside of me every day.
Note: The first picture is of my turtle pin in my collage dorm, next to a picture of my grandmother and I. The second picture reveals the tattered back of the panel.
The Materials of History, Thought, and Art 
Your turtle pin certainly fits the bill for a special object! I find it curious that you never took the pin off the card, as most children would have. It’s great that you had such a terrific grandma — I wish grandparents could live forever, they can be such a blessing to kids. I lost my own mother in 2004, and it was especially hard on my younger daughter Joanna, who was close to her grandmother and is a lot like her, just as you are like yours. Your grandmother would be pleased that you use her gift to gather strength and inspiration in her honor.
I can see why this is so important to you Ally and I think it’s great that you still cherish and use it as a source of inspiration during tough times. I especially liked what you said about breaking down large, daunting tasks into smaller pieces…I think that rings true for every college student as each of us can become so easily overwhelmed with a certain class or situation that we have never been in before. It’s so true too, and the turtle is a great representation of the statement. I cannot believe that you’ve never worn the pin before! I mean at this point you really can’t because it’s been attached to it’s paper for so long but I think the fact that it’s never been removed from it’s original paper makes it even more special. What you wrote about your grandmother’s dying was especially personal and I thank you for sharing that with us. She does seem like an extraordinary woman and I’m sure she would be so proud of you today for using her gift to serve as such a wonderful source of faith, love and motivation.
I really enjoyed your story! I have a lot of special objects given to me from my Gramma, they are a great reminder the the special role people play in our lives. I like how you talked about using an abject to help to get through difficult situations. It may be something small and seemingly insignificant to other, but its those little things that mean the most to us and help us the most. I agree with you that its important to keep mementos of our loved ones. I love how you talked about how close you are with your gramma, and how people say you look like her. That makes your object even more meaningful