If there was one thing that I could keep forever it would be my memory. And if there is anything that I learned from my elders, it would be that we shouldn’t rely on our memory to keep reminding us of the good or bad times in our life.

Most people write in their diaries, journals or even blogs nowadays to write what they were feeling at the time or something worth writing about that has happened to them recently.

Of course I don’t discourage writing, but I have figured out another way that could keep the good or bad memories alive. This idea caught me off guard when I was cleaning out my closet in my room.

I went through mountains of bags of my clothes that I had purchased when I stumbled upon old receipts hidden within the bags.

 I kept the receipts just in case I end up with some item that doesn’t work (as I’m sure anyone would who would want something besides just store credit).

After collecting all of the receipts together to see which ones I should shred, I began to read them.

One weekend last December I took a trip to American Eagle and caught a deal on a pair of pants. On that same occasion I remember eating at International House Of Pancakes in Monroe talking with two close friends over rootie tootie fresh and fruities.

Another receipt that I found while cleaning, was labeled McAlister’s Deli. This particular receipt was given to me in Lafayette, which sparked my memory even more. McAlister’s in Lafayette was where my friend and I ate lunch and decided to catch up after being 900 miles away from each other this summer.

After finding the receipts, I couldn’t help but thank them for all the great memories they rekindled from just the date, item and place.

I think most people just look to receipts for proof. Proof of purchase rather than proof of a memory to most. Receipts should be looked at as a proof of an experience.

 Don’t believe I lived in Chicago this summer? Well, I have the receipts to prove it. Don’t believe I brought a pea coat from Old Navy for only four dollars? I’ve got proof of that deal.

Receipts certainly spark your memory of what things you did on that day and how you feel at the time of the experience.

I have a hunch that technology will soon advance so much that we won’t have the luxury of receipts any more.

Receipts can be annoying at times and they can take up space but just think of a world without another way to remember your purchases.

I have heard stories about couples that keep the movie tickets from their first date and then give it to their mate after so many years.

This gift means more than just remembering the first time they went out, it reminds each other of how they felt the first time they spent time together.

So go live life, but remember to save the receipt because some day you might need the proof.

 

Lydia Earhart is a senior journalism major from Baton Rouge and serves as associate editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to lee003@latech.edu.