Things That Matter: Special Objects in our Stories as we Age (University of Toronto Press , December 2023)
Edited by William L. Randall and Matte Robinson.
Many of us have photographs, paintings, old letters, books, furniture, jewellery, or clothing that hold special meaning for us. Often, they correspond to pivotal memories and can be central to our sense of self and our life narratives, all the more so as we age. Things That Matter sheds important light on the intricate intertwining of mementos with stories – and vice versa – in most people’s lives.
The book (to which I contributed a chapter on the processes of exploring, examining and embracing our stories through memoir) explores the significance of cherished objects within the life stories of nine participants in a qualitative study of the links between reminiscence and resilience in later life. Shedding light on the complex emotional, psychological, and spiritual findings of the study, Things That Matter ultimately reveals the intricacy of personal narrative and the incredible ways in which things and stories are interwoven in our lives over time.
