There’s something undeniably magical about uncovering remnants of the past hidden in plain sight. One vivid memory from childhood stands out: when my parents remodeled the kitchen of our 1840s home, they discovered a treasure trove of old newspapers and little items tucked away in the walls. Though the specifics of those discoveries have blurred over time, the experience left an indelible mark on me. It was like stepping into a time capsule—a glimpse into another era, preserved through the simplest objects.
This experience sparked a lifelong fascination with leaving pieces of the present for future generations to find. Now, whenever I renovate my own home, I make a point of hiding something—a newspaper, a note, or a small keepsake—behind the walls or under the floorboards. It’s my way of contributing to the continuum of history, creating little mysteries for someone else to uncover decades from now.
I’ve also developed the habit of dating objects as I acquire them. Whether it’s a book, a piece of furniture, or a random item, I jot down the date I got it. It might seem like a small, quirky act, but there’s a quiet joy in revisiting these things years later and realizing just how much time has passed. These simple practices are more than hobbies—they’re a way of staying connected to the past and leaving traces for the future, a personal tradition rooted in nostalgia and curiosity.
