Chicken soup may be good for the soul — but something has to bring it to your lips.
I daresay that what’s best about chicken soup, or any dish that warms the soul, is the connection to family memories. Memories nourish us spiritually, emotionally, and that probably does us more good than the food-stuff ladled in it. According to June, a collector of silver, silver plate, and stainless steel children’s spoons, spoons are “a warm fuzzy reminder of the joy of childhood, as well as being functional for every day use.”
Janice Frankhouser has a collection of 165 silver and pewter spoons, primarily given to her by her son-in-law, Air Force Lt. Col. Subhaker Satyanarayan, who made it a practice to send her the spoons whenever duty took him to a foreign country. The spoons do more than help teach geography or serve as travel souvenirs, they commemorate the family connection. As Janice says, “My collection is not just about the spoons, but about the joy of sharing memories. The spoons represent tiny treasures that are priceless.”
I myself collect movie star spoons. While they aren’t tied to such personal memories, they do connect me in spirit to past generations of women. And, of course, the hobby of collecting creates memories too. Each spoon I find now has it’s own story of how and why I got it. That feeds my soul. And who knows, those memories may mean something to the rest of the family too.
Photo of Janice and John I. Frankhouser Jr. with her spoon collection by Ben Hasty of Reading Eagle.
Tim The world is lacking in "whimsey" I started collecting kids flatware because it was just the right size for starters and deserts at dinner parties I used to regularly throw for friends. They look attractive on the table and provide a talking point amongst guests - leading to memories of their own childhood spoon or fork. I have been gifted several of these to add to my collection that has grown to be well over 150 items. I concider it an honour and a pleasure to be the custodian of these items, some still bearing the engraving of the names of their original owners (not to mention their teeth marks haha). I wonder what became of them and why such a precious childhood keepsakes should have been allowed to be seperated from its rightful owner. Regardless of that fact - they are cute .... functional ..... and cheep to aquire at car boot sales and markets. They provide delight to adults and kids who use them. No one is ever short of a tea spoon at my house .... but beware .... it might be a rabbit or a chicken. Anyone who has such items and is worried about them being left alone in an uncaring world is welcome to send them to join the gang here. If any of the innocence of youth can attach itself to an item .. then they will be in good company. April 2nd, 2012 at 8:46 PM
Deanna Dahlsad I find the idea of not knowing who or what will be on my spoon quite charming :) April 19th, 2012 at 5:47 AM
Rene I collect spoons too. See my site www.souvenirlepel.nl , happy collecting. February 23rd, 2013 at 4:27 PM