I like to thank everyone who has contacted me in the past few days.  Everyone has been quite supportive and until now I did not know how people could help me out but maybe here's something to do.

I am a pack rat.  I kept just about everything in my life.  I had schoolwork dating back to elementary school, including pretty much all books/readers/notes/tests from graduate, undergrad, high school and middle school.  If you've given me anything at all, I kept it around.  From cards to gifts to photos to personal written messages.  I've never even used gift certificates.  And I had presents I've carefully rewrapped and occasionally had to open it again to remember what it was.

Some people put up posters in their rooms or other stuff.  I guess I decorated my room with my memories.  When you walked in, there was always a ton of crazy stuff everywhere.  Even though I haven't talked to some of the people I've met in my life ever again, I always knew who gave me what and still kept what they gave me.

As much as I try to put it out of my mind, I can't stop thinking about the things I've kept over the years.  Each day the list keeps getting bigger and bigger.  I guess a reason why I don't use many of these gifts is because I like to preserve the gesture and having the items around reminds me of who I've met in my life.

But I guess the time has come to make new memories and start a new collection.  If you have the time, I ask you to think of something that would remind me of you.  It could be as simple as a card saying hey whats up.  Pictures you may have of you and me or just you doing something wacky.  It could even be a small gift.

Don't feel rushed to come up with something or feel you have to spend a lot.  If you still aren't sure what to do you could talk to me and we'll figure something out.  We are still trying to orient ourselves and it will take some time for the shock and emotions to wear off.  I'll have an mail address later; we are being moved around by our insurance and I don't have a permanent address or even a temporary one to give.

And as hard as it is, I do ask to not mention the fire or hope you and your family feel better.  Like I said, this is the time to remember the good times and start a new collection of memorabilia.

I don't even need anything I may use everyday, because honestly I wouldn't use it.  I just want something I can look at and say, "so and so" gave me this and maybe it represents some crazy thing we did.

I'll post an updated list of what I remember but for now its up to the rest of you to spread the word.

edit: i was going to post a list but i realized that will just make this even sadder so i'll keep that list to myself. but if u wanted to know if i kept soomething u gave me, ask me.  i probably did. while i may not remember what a person has giving me if i see them, i'll know who gave me an item if i see it