It's Not What You See

I own a fridge. I know that statement alone isn't anything special. Most people own a fridge. In fact, mine is small. There isn't a cool ice maker, cold water dispenser. It's not an awesome stainless steel designer fridge. In fact, I can guarantee that there aren't many refrigerator's on the market that you can purchase for less.  But you see, it's not the fridge that matters to me...it's what's ON the fridge.

Many years ago, my grandmother, Elizabeth Adamson, gave me a magnet.  I was in High School and it sort of kicked around in the drawers of my dresser for a few years. Somehow, after I was married, that magnet made it to my fridge. I still have it. At the time, (sadly), it didn't hold much meaning for me. My grandmother's passing has upped the value significantly.

Time has passed and through the years, I have purchased a magnet here and there to memorialize a trip or a special occasion. No magnet had any express value. I had a few that were "space fillers" and held no meaning.

A few years ago, a friend of my boys' came and spent the weekend while his grandparents went to California. When Grandma came and picked him up, she brought me in a magnet. She related to me that through the years when she would come to pick Josh up, she would sit in the driveway and from that vantage point was able to see my fridge and the menagerie of magnets I had. She thought she wanted to give me something that I would use and would remind me of how grateful she was for me to be a part of Josh's life.  Little did she know that she would begin a tradition.

My fridge is COVERED in magnets. I can tell you who gave me each one. I have magnets from all over the world.  They come from friends, family, kids' friends, the girl at the Pepsi store, neighbors...you name it. I may not be able to go to the countries, cities, states, etc.  But a part of the experience is given to me in magnetic form. I love to hear the stories of the experience of the trip, but my secret pleasure is the tale behind the search and purchase of the magnet that they (whomever it may be) thought would be best for ME.

I know where each magnet is placed. In fact, the standing joke is to turn them upside down and see how long it will take Mom to notice.  Yeah, about 1 minute....  The proper placement is in my heart. It's a constant reminder that I am important.

And that, my friends, is why I'm known to say... "You're in the family if you make the fridge."