Tucked away in the corner of the basement of our home is a tightly wrapped box with a simple hand-written sign attached with a heavy dose of duct tape: “For John Parrott – to be opened on his 21st birthday.” There’s a similar box beside it for John’s little brother Jackson.
What do these home-made time capsules contain? A copy of the Seattle Times newspaper on the day each boy was born, their birth announcement, a letter from mom and dad, and about a half dozen trinkets, photos and memorabilia that are sure to generate conversation for a 21-year-old young man when he opens it on his birthday.
The first American time capsule, known as the “century safe,” was put together in 1876. Right on time, President Ford unsealed it in 1976 to find a watch, a tea service and a few leather-bound books.
In 1977, “Sounds of Earth,” a two-disc record set was mounted on the Voyager 2 spacecraft. The gold discs — which include recordings of Chuck Berry, Mozart and a human kiss — come with a cartridge, a needle and instructions for playing them. Who knows what future generation or aliens will discover them.
There’s something about leaving a message and some artifacts for future delivery that intrigues the human spirit. And it’s not a bad exercise to think about what you might put in a time capsule – especially at the start of a new year. That’s why we suggest you consider a time capsule for your marriage.
Whether you actually build one or not, consider what you might put into it. For example, what would you place in a time capsule to be opened on your 50th wedding anniversary?
We were talking about it this week and decided to each write a letter – without sharing it with each other. We’ve put them both in sealed envelopes inside a box wrapped in duct tape and placed it next to the time capsules for our boys. The sign on the box reads: To be opened by Les and Leslie on June 30, 2034.
What did we write? That’s a secret. But we can tell you that both of us imagined what that day will be like and what we’d want the other to read about in our respective letters.
These letters are our “scrolls of remembrance” (Malachi 3:16) and, as this week’s quote states, they are as much about the here and now as they are for the future. If you take the time to write a similar letter, we think you’ll know just what we mean.
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What an absolutely great idea! I surely wished I had thought to create a time capsule the year I was married (28 years ago), or at other important life milestones. Some things we will always remember, but what a nice way to share those memories, and take an minute to look back over the years. I will be sure to share this with my daughter, so that she’ll have the benefit of capsules later in her life!
Cat: Thanks for your note. We’re so glad you like the idea. And congratulations on 28 years of marriage. We are right there with you (June 30, 1984).
How neat. I made a tape recording (yes I am that old) of each of our children when they were just toddlers and beginning to talk. It is so much fun to listen to them with our kids. Such great memories. I love your idea of keeping a time capsule to be opened on a future milestone anniversary. We will start that right away.
Heather, that is so cool. Your kids are going to prize those recordings. We love hearing from you. All our best.
Really like this idea of the capsule for our journey through life as a couple and for the children. It does say in the Bible to writhe the accounts down for the next generations, so they will know and learn and remember. Remember where they came and come from. For us as adoptive parents it can be a little bit more challengeing as we don’t have the history of the family, but she knows the truth of Jesus and Love unconditional. This has really got me thinking, oh in a very good way and creative one too. Thank you for sharing. Continued Blesssings on you all. Shalom~ Joy
Joy, you are so right. And, yes, we understand how being adoptive parents can be a bit more challenging … but never too late to build a time capsule to be part of a a future milestone or celebration. Happy wishes for you in 2014!
We celebrated our 25th fully, re-did our vows, and had a reception!
Our 40th was another story…life changes.
This is a terrific idea to do now…in anticipation of our 50th. Thanks
Awesome. Wishing you the very best as you approach your 50th, Ruth. And thanks for your note.