A rough piece of light brown stone with dark and light specks throughout.
The stone is Gularian mineral which brings prosperity, fortune and success.
An egg shaped slice of sea green agate with a thick darker edge, a band of lighter green and light speckles at the center.
No information
An oval moonstone pendant topped with a small round moonstone accent in a simple silver setting on a silver box chain which is coiled above it.
A square watch on a gold link band with a safety chain. The watch is stretched out horizontally, showing the whole of its ivory face with roman numerals and gold pusher at the top.
A copy of a bill of sale densely packed with tight cursive writing:
Slave Manifest of my ancestors, when I first saw this inventory list with my ancestors on it along with non-human property, I started screaming like bloody murder and could not stop crying.
A type written letter dated December 24, 1996. Hand written at the bottom, “Plus slave information”.
A cursive hand written letter on dogeared lined notebook paper:
A red folded booklet, “Two great ladies reaching out, 1st reunion August 12 - 14 1986”. surrounded by an illustration in black linework.
Family reunion program.
A white t-shirt folded in a clear plastic bag. Words visible in outlined yellow block letters read, “Family Reunion” arcing over marbled grey lettering, “Parker Upshaw”. More text is folded behind.
The Parker Pitts family Reunion T-Shirt. I did not have any idea of who I was back in 1996 ish. and I relative sent me a bunch of information about our family. He and another relative researched our family and wrote a book about who were were.
A white folded booklet with graphics in bright magenta on the cover: “August 1997 Family Reunion. Columbus GA” encircles “Parker Upshaw, Crawford, Pitts” in block letters to form the head of a tree with graphics of a trunk beneath. A slip of paper sticks out from the top. On the right is a page dedicated to the Parker family which includes two photographs.
Family reunion program
A book with a a white marbled cover “Family Pride. The story of the Parkers and the Gores. 1790-1970. by Donna Beasley Carter”.
Family reunion book
Two roughly heart shaped rocks dappled in warm orange tones.
Two rock hearts that changed my life that were found at Dharma Dena meditation Retreat in Palm Springs. After Three days of silent meditation, I found these rocks and I knew I needed to live a very abusive situation or I might end up dead.
A long, silver snake chain swirled up in a pile.
Silver Necklace from my Grandmother who died. I was not allowed to go to my Grandmother's funeral, I was not told that she died on my Birthday (I found out this information when I did research when I was at Graduate School). My grandmother could pass for white, and she was very sickly...and died in her sleep. My mother and my grandmother did not like each other and I saw them yelling and my mother said, we will not be going to your (grandmother's) funeral. I got the necklace then the family showed up to take her stuff. My greedy step-aunt wanted my necklace, the only thing I wanted. I had the courage to say no to her greed. I was angry that people showed up to take her stuff, but did not go to the funeral nor cared about her when she was alive.
Artwork of in warm brown tones set in a gold-tone heart frame with a winged heart at the top and surrounded by a feather motif. To the right is a pair of fabric, quarter circle shaped, French hook earrings also in warm brown tones.
Framed Art in a vintage frame, with art that I designed with a technique that a just stumble upon.
Fabric earrings that I made from cotton fabric then used a two part resin to make the fabric text feel like leather. Fiberalchemy is what I call it. I made these for my family members who really loved them.
Two necklaces; The one on the left is of white cowrie shells on black cord. The right is
Crowry Shell belt that is symbolic for African Deities
Fabric necklace that I made from cotton fabric then used a two part resin to make the fabric text feel like leather. Fiberalchemy is what I call it. I made these for my family members who really loved them.
2017 Graduation Cap and Tassel for my M.S. Degree in Counseling. I returned to school after decades of working and doing volunteer work. It took me 10 years to get my prerequisites to qualify for graduate school then another 5 years in school 1/2 time then full time. I was pretty sick throughout school, had to quit one semester, then stayed sicked as I completed my thesis, presented my research at over 8 national conferences, and dealt with a lot of drama. Had to reach out to other peers outside of my dept. to get support and create a safe-space. This was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Given my poor academic record as a kid, then now a 3.90 GPA student. Amazing. Thank you Technology.
SFSU Purple School Banner for my Graduation gift
Imagine Star with Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society Pen, and two Piano Pens from my piano days with the National Music Academy of the West
White Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society's Graduation sash. This is an honor society that counseling grads are vetted first then invited to apply for. All members have to maintain a 3.75 GPA all the way through Grad school. I finished with a 3.9 GPA. I never thought I would ever be in any type of honor society at all given my poor academic records and my difference in abilities that made my learning process challenging. Thanks to new technology...I used this during grad school and It helped to maintain my GPA and helped me learn. What an honor to be in this society.
Wooden Fertility Goddess with two chains. The Fertility Goddess is from Africa and the chains are representative of the Middle Passage that my ancestors were forced to endure on the bloodstain seas of the Atlantic Ocean. The triangular slave trade was the beginning of Corporate America via the European Crowns that bought and stole African Bodies for the formation of their new Banana Republics. The male and female African Statues are representative of my Ancestry. Bantu African, Irish, Native American, and Asian. I took the 23-and-Me DNA test to confirm my family's oral history .
Wooden Buddha for my spiritual life
I got this bracelet from my grand-mother, it is bracelet is familiar with the women from a little village in Algir ( cold"Constantine") to promise that they will have
promise the woman security because it is made of gold.You can use it to get yourself out of trouble.
I've had the 10HKD in my wallet for 5 years.It's gone around the globe with me many times.From my first trip to Asia.
One of several hats that belonged to my grand-daddy, given to me by the mother. Many of my memories of him (he died when I was 7 years old) and photos of him are of him wearing hats.
Two were given to me, one I gave to myself, they all stay on my person every waking hour. They remind me of a time, but also elapsed time. They come close to them all day ,but their meanings are hidden. Each lives in a different place; they only touch through me.
Roses are my symbol.My mother who died when I was two , Her favorite flower was rose+color purple. When I was 17 my boyfriend gave me sterling silver (purple) roses. He called me his Rose-it became my nickname+persona of characters in the LARP I play-I met Lucas who made the necklace+his mother the earrings.
From the old market in Jerusalem. The glass for the eye dates to B.C.
I was born and raised in Harwich,Massachusetts,on Cape Cod. I graduated from Harwich High School. The Marineri are one of the teams in the Cape Cod League which is a summer league primarily for collage baseball player looking to play in the major leagues. Tim Lincecom formerly of the SF Ginats played for the Harwich Mariners. Buster Posey played for the Yarmouth Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League.
These objects represent for me, my identity and makes me feel that I am part of this world.
These objects represent for me, my identity and makes me feel that I am part of this world.
These objects represent for me, my identity and makes me feel that I am part of this world.
These objects represent for me, my identity and makes me feel that I am part of this world.
The note was from an old coworker who was older and we sort of had a flirtation despite a 15 year age gap and I've had the note in my wallet for about 2 years.The second object,notebook,is a fairly new possession but it is special to me because I have all my art notes in it.
I bought this shortly after I started my first real job and got my own car. It's one of the first things I got to feel a bit more like an "adult".
I bought it at Powell's Books in Portland OR in 2008. Since then it has come with me over 20 states and 15 Countries. It's got some character dents but I can't seem to retire it for a newer shinier alternative. I'm probably going to hold a funeral for it when it breaks catastrophically. All hail reusable water bottles!
A gift from a friend: Snake-Coral(Oaxaca,Mexico)
A gift from a friend: Cowboy-New Orleans
A gift from a friend: Roadrunner-Tucson, AZ
This is one of 3 cameras my grandmother gave me.I fell in love with photography using a camera my grandfather on my mother side gave me,which I eventually gave my sister while I have never used these,I have carried them or all of my moves for almost 20 years.
A well used/work "dress makeup" measuring tape.
They mean a lot to me
Went to Yosemite-was all depressed about world situation and personal troubles until I arrived Yosemite's Beauty erased it all. This key ring is a Yosemite souvenir.
The tag belonged to my childhood dog Oscar. He came into my life when I was five years old and he lived to be 19 years old. He passed away on my first day of grad school. He was my best friend.
This Egyptian contains a prayer given to me to support me in a health crisis. The box itself was brought back from Egypt by a dear friend. I carry this with me. Everywhere!
Painting made by my father.
this notebook was handmade and gifted to me when I was in Ihla Grande,Rio. She made it and drew the corn in front of me. It was a special moment that I like summarizing.
Family photo was taken by my father (more recently printed by my sister) when I was a baby. It depicts me (Faunus), Sister (Kija), and brother (Nanosh).
This camera is from my dentist's office. It is special because it has pictures of animals inside. It is a very neat camera.
I use this pen everyday when I write my psychotherapy notes for my clients. I love to carry it, hold it, feel the texture of the beads. It reminds me of being back home in Minnesota .
Bracelets given to me by my daughter for different holidays, birthdays etc
these are talismen I have carried with me from 3-11 years. Objects associated with or belonging to friends that have died. (Early)
I love my husband and am so lucky to have an object I mean all the time that reminds me of him.
This is a picture of my family taken in 1950. My sister and I are a year apart in age our parents are deceased, yet we cherish our family pictures and own wonderful memories growing up.
Snaily is special because my mommy brought it home from a special trip.