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When I was eight years old, my life changed in all kinds of ways. My Mom got remarried. My biological father gave up his parental rights and I was adopted by my Mom’s new husband (who has been a better Dad than I ever could imagined having). I was moving eight hours away to a place I had been to once and was leaving behind everything I had ever known.
Of course, looking back now, I know that all of those changes were for the best. The only thing that I can now look back on and wish it would have been different is that moving away meant that I only saw my Grandparents a couple of times a year instead of living on the other side of the duplex that they owned.
So, what does this have to do with markers?
Moving eight hours away, of course, meant that I was leaving my school that I had attended from kindergarten through 2nd grade. I know that I must have been upset about that for a variety of reasons, but one thing that I recall telling my Mom I was disappointed about was that I was just sure my new school wouldn’t have the Mr. Sketch scented markers that I loved at my school.
Yeah, when you’re eight years old, these are the kinds of things that you think about.
My Mom, being the awesome Mom that she is, got me a set of the markers for Christmas. I loved those markers. Loved them! I used them. I smelled them. (The turquoise was/is my favorite scent.) I left them in the styrofoam packaging so that they would last longer. I made friends be careful if they wanted to use them. I carefully packed them when we moved a few more times.
Well, that’s not entirely true. I didn’t pack them for just a few more moves. Not only did my family end up moving three more times, but Eric and I have moved seven times during our marriage. And yes, those Mr. Sketch scented markers came with us.
It was a couple of weeks ago while I was coloring on our paper bag pinata for Molly’s birthday party and I was admiring the bright colors and yummy scents that I realized, “Hang on! I’m coloring with 25 year old markers! How in the world have these lasted for 25 years?”
I can’t promise that if you buy some now that they’ll last 25 years. I took pretty good care of those markers, apparently. I realized that it probably just goes to show you how carefully a child can take care of something when they know that it’s special.
So, yes, I love a set of 25 year old markers. They’re bright, they’re fun, they smell great, and they remind me of how much my Mom loves me.
This post is linked to Finer Things Friday.
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These were my favorites as well! I got a set in 5th grade at the end of the year when our teacher did a little “auction” of some of the school supplies, books, etc… we’d earned “Buzby Bucks” all year to use in this auction. I was thrilled to win them. I can feel the scnted marker love! haha
That’s an awesome story. May those markers last you another 25 years. I think I know what markers I’m buying the next time ours die on us!
Love this story! Your mom is the best!! And I’m impressed that your markers lasted so long. Maybe they were the start of your creative streak.
@scrapper al,
I’ll have to make sure she sees your comment. I think she thinks you’re pretty darn special too. (Me too, by the way!)
Great story! I love these markers too! I put them up high, so Abby can’t get to them all of the time. LOL!
I had those same markers. I got them for my 7th birthday. However, I don’t think mine are still around.
What a blessing. I don’t think I had those, but I clearly remember friends having them, and the smell.
Good for you.
I think this is a wonderful story, and that you have an awesome mom for realizing that these markers meant so much to you that it would be the best Christmas present for you that year! 🙂
On an entirely different note…who in the world ever thought that scented markers would be a good thing? Encouraging the inhalation of marker fumes and all…LOL BTW, I did have friends who had these, and remember smelling them. 🙂
@Amy @ Cheeky Cocoa Beans,
Too funny, Amy! It’s so true that this just seems like a horrible idea. LOL
Oh my goodness!!!! Memory Lane!! I LOVED those markers as a kid, and I can still smell those scents!! Oh, I wish I could still buy them….
Thanks for this post, as it made me smile!
That’s a fantastic story!
I’m off to buy a set! I hope they last as long as your’s have. Great story!
Thanks, Kristen! I hope that you love them as much as I do. 🙂
I don’t know if you’ll see this comment, but I was just telling my daughter about these markers from when I was a kid. I distinctly remember the brown marker being scented “dirt” or “mud”, but she says it’s “cinnamon”… Can you help us settle this Mandela Effect/debate? Lol
Brown is cinnamon. It’s kind of a strong smell and has always been one of my least favorites (even though I like cinnamon), so maybe you felt the same way and it made you feel like it was something gross instead.