The Collector

It’s obvious to me that Hazel has inherited my ‘collector gene’. 

Whether it’s Magic the Gathering cards, Labubus (plush toy monster elves), or hustling around Disneyland ‘pin-trading’, she seems to love it all.

As someone who has gone through all the phases of cards, coins, hats, guns, pins, knives, and more, I fully understand the insatiable desire to find fun new collectibles.

I oscillate through phases where I am ashamed of the wasted money and effort related to all the consumerism, to times when I can’t get enough.

Currently I’ve returned to being very bullish on collecting again, specifically because of the tactile memories that items create. Objects, like music, have the powerful ability to trigger the recollection of events. There is something about putting on a hat bought on vacation, and immediately returning to the sights and sounds of the trip. 

I know that years from now when we look at our Disney pins, we will remember the joy of running around the happiest place on the planet with an energized nine year old searching for a special find. Or when we look back at our magic cards we will fondly recall the smell of a fresh pack and the excitement of a big ‘pull’.

I will carry no guilt for our future collecting, 

as I know it is the memories we are truly collecting.

• Now that’s a peak ethos.