I don't like to do the usual holiday remembrances. I get far too emotional over Christmases past that weren't so great at the time, perhaps, but now in retrospect seem to have been warm and fuzzy.

However. This week I decided to clean two closets, because I need the space for storage. And to my surprise, a whole generation of memories were lurking in there, just waiting to see the light of day again.

The stuff from the closets is strewn about my room, while I look at old pictures, read old letters and sort through clothes I don't even remember I had. The pictures and letters and memorabilia are sometimes poignant keepers and sometimes eminently forgettable.

Note to self: Never clean closets just before the arrival of guests, if you intend to use the room in the near future.