A Superman cape, a rookie card, Grandmom’s Christmas ornament. Anything is a “transitional object” if it helps us connect one time or place to the next in our lives.
Apparently, we aren’t born with a faith in “object permanence”. That’s why kids have to carry their toy from home to school and wear their special cape all day. Slowly, we learn to grasp the concept rather than the object.
Well, almost. As I write this, I look up and see the little mailbox ornament my grandmother made hanging on the Christmas tree, and I feel her presence. Some objects retain their magical powers forever.
As co-founder of Topanga Vintage Market I am charmed by this idea. I collect transitional objects as assurances of continuity, showing both the inevitability of change and the persistence of memory, or at least of happy memories jogged by keepsakes. Like most flea market folk, I go a little overboard sometimes with new acquisitions, but when I build up so many objects that I can’t remember what they mean, I have learned to get a booth and let them find a new home.
I let go of the rookie card from my Dad’s old Top’s set to pay for my last year of college, but my Grandmom’s little ornament will be carefully wrapped in tissue and brought out each Christmas when her great grand children will see it and know that “Nanny” made it long ago.
So here’s to 2013. May we release our rookie cards, hold our special keepsakes dear, and search for “transitional objects” to grant us superhero powers throughout the New Year!
Happy New Year!
