CHERISH

There are many ways items are given worth such as financial value, rarity, history, and societal appraisal. Does an item need to have those qualities to be deemed valuable? Perhaps the highest value is often overlooked, and that is the kind that comes from how an item is cherished and why it is loved.

There is something beautiful about cherishing an object, especially throughout one's lifetime. In society, we hear phrases like “family heirloom” and see the tradition come to life in passeddown engagement rings and lockets. Cherishing an item is not limited to jewelry.

A piece of clothing, a book, a photo, or even a small object like a child’s stuffed animal can hold value and be passed on. Passing on a cherished item is not limited to family members either; it is practiced all throughout society. The gift we give to a friend, the art seen in a museum, the items we donate, and the historical artifacts that archivists work hard to preserve all serve as a form of inheritance for future generations. The beauty of cherishing something is a phenomenon seen throughout history and cultures all over the world.

On the surface, it seems superficial to treasure an object, but there is a reason why there are some items we put value into. A particular item can keep something alive: a family’s history, the memory of a loved one, a friendship over the years, a romantic relationship, or a momentous occasion we want to remember. Whatever that memory or story is, we all yearn to preserve it and share the past with someone else by passing the item on.

In the fashion world, the stigma of repeating older outfits remains in a modern culture that cycles trends faster than ever. Prioritizing seeking new pieces over using the ones we already own is not sustainable. Practicing valuing objects we currently possess should be encouraged if one is able to do so

The true beauty of cherishing an item is that everyone can partake in it. The piece does not need to be a financial investment or have been passed down through multiple generations; it can be an item you own right now full of memories and stories. Treasure and take care of whatever that item may be and, if you wish, pass it on to keep its memory alive for years to come.

BY: LIV BRILEY RAKOW