Unnoticed, Beautiful, Priceless Pieces
Graphic by Molly Van Gorp.
From colorful fuzzy socks, to that necklace you never take off, to earrings inherited from family, to a thrifted jacket you got for only $8: we all have pieces we could never part with because they carry with them a story. My gray cashmere zip-up hoodie with holes scattered along the seams looks like nothing special, but it has been my mom’s favorite hoodie since she was in college, and I feel close to her when I wear it on campus. Before our mass consumer spending over the holidays, it is important to take these moments to appreciate the stories behind the pieces we already have, that are priceless to us because of their story.
Golden suns
Little gold earring pendants, shining like suns of amber, were not bought on a whim, but are a priceless gift. Nick Francis, environmental science major at Northwestern University, received these earrings from his grandmother. Reflecting on this gift, Francis said, “I think she and I are like birds of a feather in a lot of ways that I’m not with anyone in my family.” They are an important relic of her life, as these golden suns are from her home country, Ukraine, to which she will never return. He added, “I’m really grateful to have a grandmother who cares enough about me to let me have this treasured piece of herself that she has had for so many years.”
Oversized Vibrance
An oversized graphic t-shirt imprinted with vibrant art is both cherished by its owner and its artist. Mayán Alvarado-Goldberg, neuroscience major, explained that the art printed on the T-shirt is created by her aunt, who uses art to express her identity as a deaf woman. The piece speaks to her aunt’s experience existing in a deaf world. Alvarado-Goldberg explained that members of her family living all over the world have shirts with copies of her aunt’s artwork. She added, “when I took it to college my parents were like, ‘Don’t lose that, that is a very very special shirt.’”
Courtesy of Mayán Alvarado-Goldberg.
Bravo
A fake leather bracelet, with “Bravo” carved into its dark brown exterior, commemorates a distinct moment of pride and a tender bond. Aisa Longnecker, an economics and biology major, retells the moment that inspired this gift from her mother. Longnecker had always been nervous for her violin recitals. However, this changed at one end-of-year recital; she threw herself into her performance and was able to emotionally express herself and the composer through her work. She stated that this was her most successful performance as a musician up to that point, and that the crowd was so pleased with her performance. As the crowd erupted in applause, a person from the audience stood up and said, “Bravo.” This one word stuck with Longnecker and her mother, who commemorated it in a bracelet: a treasured gift from mother to daughter. Longnecker said, “I’ve worn it every single day since probably sophomore year of high school, so it's going on six years.”
Courtesy of Aisa Longnecker.
Free Hat Warms Her Heart
Free merch from a possible employer becomes a memento to overcoming failure. Angeli Mittal, computer science and neuroscience major, explained that her sophomore year of high school she was given a gray, warm winter hat from a software engineering company she was interested in interning for, but was not hired. Her senior year she applied again, and was accepted! The hat was there through both the down and the up. Mittal said, “This hat goes with me everywhere.”
Courtesy of Angeli Mittal.
Sparkling Reminder
Dazzling diamonds placed into golden crowns create a clean look, barely noticeable, yet, immeasurably important. Julia Lehr, a neuroscience major, explains that her mother was gifted these earrings by her father when they were dating, and that her mother wore them everyday. Now, it’s her turn to never take them off and treasure them for their beauty, but more importantly, their story.
Courtesy of Julia Lehr.