After my last blog post, I feel that I have exhausted the topic of my ring from San Marino. As a result, I have decided to choose a new object to discuss. My new object was given to me as a gift from my Uncle Rob and my new Aunt Kathy. I refer to her as new only because this is how I had first started to refer to her when my Uncle Rob married her. I was in the eight grade when they decided to get married and for most of my life I had known my Uncle Rob to be a bachelor. So his pending nuptials was a very big deal for my family.
In the eighth grade, my Uncle Rob and new Aunt Kathy asked me to be in her wedding party as a junior brides maid. I felt very honored to be included in the wedding party. With the wedding day being a very big day to the bride, I felt honored that Kathy made an effort to include me and all my other cousins with in her ceremony. I was a junior brides maid, my younger cousin Mellina was a flower girl, my brother and my cousin Evan read during the ceremony. When my Aunt Kathy asked me and my cousins to be a part of her wedding, it felt like she was making an effort not to have anyone left out of the big day or their new life together.
After their honeymoon in Mexico, my aunt and uncle presented me with this red box. It is a ceramic circular box with a lid that opens. When my new Aunt Kathy gave it to me, she said, “When I saw it, the box reminded me of you in every way.” Around the sides yellow swirls are hand painted and on the lid a multi colored flower is designed. I have kept this box in my room back home, in my dorm, and in my apartment off campus. It has followed me through the years holding miscellaneous objects and reminding me of my family. Currently, it holds my quarters for doing laundry.
I always had a great relationship with my Uncle Rob growing up. Whenever he went on trips to San Marino, he would always bring me back a little something. I received a Snow Globe of La Plaza Publico, costume jewelry from Venice, and a glass figurine of a gondola man. All of these objects are still in my room back home. I was very pleased when this tradition did not stop but instead included my aunt Kathy’s opinion as well. Now, they have two sons who are amazing and exhausting. My little red box is a symbol to me of their constant love and generosity.
The Materials of History, Thought, and Art 
I really enjoyed reading this story. It was so sweet. The descriptions of you relationships really helped me get a better sense of the object. Since you switched objects part of me wanted to know more about the object itself, what kind of ceramic is it? Is it heavy? How big is it, though I assume it’s pretty small considering you’ve brought it so many places. I wouldn’t have thought about including such a detailed description before this class and, in my opinion, it is helpful to create a sort of grounding for the reader.
This was so beautiful to read. Your Aunt Kathy took the time to know you and think of you on her honeymoon and this gift has been with you in all of your homes. I think that is a pretty wonderful symbol of value. This item has found a home in all of your homes. It brings to its’ habitus the reminder of family. The full story — of how this couple came together, included the whole family in their wedding, and created their own family — is held by this “little red box.” The continuance of love is the continued family value. Thanks for sharing!