Walking through my bedroom, a mottled red box that is on most occasions unconsidered caught the corner of my eye, and acquired attentiveness yet further as I opened it up to peruse its contents of yesteryear. My yesteryear, but also interwoven with the yesteryear of others, directly or indirectly.

Before there was the Internet and Facebook where one could indicate their relationship status, there were these little pins. “I AM LOVED”

Back in the 80s when these came out, the trend was that a person wore these right side up if they had a boyfriend/girlfriend.  Mine was infinitely upside down. Teen angst sneered at mom when she tried to plea, “But you are loved, because we love you very much.”

“Geez, Mom! You just don’t get it.”