Hope

  Years ago, girls were expected to spend their growing up years preparing for the day when they would marry and run their own home. They collected linens, dishes, silver, and china. Heirlooms, such as wedding and christening gowns, jewelry, and knick-knacks, were placed carefully inside. As a girl packed her chest, she was packaging her hopes and dreams.

     Although this tradition is rarely in style today, I had a hope "chest." (Quotation marks because the actual chest that my parents gave me when I was 16 never came out of the box. I stored my things in a Rubbermaid tub. Oh well.) I didn't have much in it, mostly a few kitchen things, a few house things, oh yeah, and a punch bowl that I really don't know the location of right now. (I probably left it at home...) Antiquated idea or not, in-style or faux pas, it was a great idea. That collection saved me a lot of worry when I moved. I strongly recommend it. Proving the value of a hope chest, however, is not my purpose today.