My brother-in-law just graduated high school at the ripe young age of 18. On graduation night, my mother-in-law pulled out a “time capsule” he had made when he was in first grade. Aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents listened while Taylor, the new graduate ready to face the world head-on, stepped back in time to 1998 when he was just 7 years old.
Taylor wished for good grades, 1 million dollars, and Pokemon cards. He touched on what he wanted to be when he grew up, what his favorite color was, who his friends were, and what he liked best about school. He had drawn a picture of his family with the beloved family dog, Mac, who just passed away 8 months ago after 14 great years.
After all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds graduation is finished, we’re just left with memories. This time capsule served as a great reminder of who Taylor was as a boy, while at the same time reminding us of the capable, young man he has become.
It is never too late to create a time capsule with your kids. You can create one centered around special dates – birthdays, firsts, sporting events, and holidays – or it could be a time capsule geared toward the strength/interest of each child. A time capsule can also be as simple as the document that Taylor opened up graduation night, which still smelled and felt like 1999.
Just remember to open up the time capsule when you intend to – whether that’s graduation, a night before a wedding, driving your son or daughter to college for the first time, and so forth.
Have you made a time capsule with your kids yet? What are some things you included in it? When do you think you’ll open this time capsule? However yours looks, it is sure to be something that no one will forget.