A Favorite Useless Souvenir of a Favorite Memory

This stein has never held liquid of any kind. It’s held various items such as pens, pencils and back-scratchers. Most of the time of 34 years it has done nothing but take up space on a shelf. On occasion Cindy will say to me, “You still holding onto this?” I just smile and say “yes.” So . . . what’s so valuable about this stein that is so awkward amongst everything else we possess. Other than some photos, it is my lone souvenir from our honeymoon in Colorado. In August of 1986, we began a drive from the Chicago area to Colorado. I had been out there a few times the previous year looking for job opportunities which never came. But, I was awed by the Rocky Mountains and so Cindy and I went to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park among a few other places along the eastern range of the Rockies. The mug was purchased at the Trail Ridge Store which is at an elevation of something like 12,000 ft. What can I say? The park and so many things about that trip made its mark on me; a wonderful experience and a memorable way to begin my new life with Cindy. When I look at this I see the name Rocky Mountain National Park, nearby Long’s Peak which happens to be a little higher in elevation than Pike’s Peak down in Colorado Springs. I would argue that it’s even prettier. Finally, I see Bear Lake. At the time I purchased the stein, we had not been to Bear Lake. But, our last day at the park we took a trail that took us to Bear Lake and it was the icing on the cake for us. It is a serene and beautiful setting which we’ve talked about ever since and even went back to visit for our 25th anniversary. I’ve learned not to collect a lot of stuff from our trips. But, occasionally things like this are tangible reminders of the blessings that come our way in the course of time.