There are a number of things in my house now that were once in Mum‘s house.
But which thing of hers brings me most comfort?
This key ring.
Once Mum’s estate had been wound up, I remembered to ask
if I could have it, and it arrived yesterday.
When my siblings and I left home in the 1980s,
Dad said we could keep our house key until we got married.
I don’t believe he ever imagined that I would be well in to my thirties before that happened for me.
The day before The Brainy One and I were married, we hosted an Afternoon Tea
for the bridal party – parents, best man, bridesmaids and ushers.
We gave out the traditional gifts and I threw in a surprise for Mum.
I returned my key on this self-same key ring, packaged up
in a box and a big bow.
She used it everyday for the rest of her life.
And see that Yale key with the green cover?
It opens Mum’s front door. I borrowed it during the time Mum was ill,
and I was back and forth, somehow forgetting to leave it behind.
When I did eventually come across it (in my jewellery box, for some reason),
I asked if it was needed for the new owners and was quietly pleased to learn that it wasn’t.
I can be trusted not to startle the new owner by letting myself in.
I can be trusted not to startle the new owner by letting myself in.
This West London Life 
I've really enjoyed reading this – what meaningful connections it holds for you … Will you make this into a scrapbook page?
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What a lovely post. I can remember being trusted with a key once my sister was old enough to not necessarily come straight home from school. Only the side door though. Up until then I had to hover in the garden until she got home!
I don't recall giving it back but now I have become a trusted key holder again just in case mum is ill and I need to get in. How life goes round.
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Oh my, such a beautiful memory story. Amazing what things makes the connections to the past, to the person. A treasure beyond measure.
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it's the little things that are so special x
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Isn't it strange how the things with the least monetary value can be the most precious?
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