I’ve been moving and storing a box for my brother since 1995. I finally have it here and got him on the phone and he told me to open it. There were a few unremarkable coffee mugs, lots of Robert Ludlum paperbacks and the reason he wanted me to not throw out The Box.
Our cousin Howie was like Dad’s big brother, and Dad always looked up to him. My brother now has the WWII shell, that is engraved and to be used as a “piggy bank” and his Army knife.
I’ve saved those two items and will send them to my brother, with love. I now understand why he wanted me to save this box all these years. Oh, all the books are going to St. Vincent de Paul. Family memories are priceless and I remember that shell sitting out, proud. Never saw the knife ’til now but that’s OK.
Howie’s gone now but left these items for my Dad, who is still alive but entrusted them to my brother, via me. Frankly, I’m afraid to send them in the mail unless I label it WWII Memorabilia. Who knows what Homeland Security will do? Maybe I’ll do UPS Ground.
Again, it’s about getting as much stuff out of here as we can before guests arrive. No boxes! But I’m glad my brother (by phone) and I were able to finally assess its contents. Must get hubby up now, he’s beat after moving and long nights at conferences. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 
I’ll have to pack it at UPS so they can verify the shell isn’t intact. It’s already a piggy bank that one would have to saw off the bottom to get to the change. But they’ve no problem with the sheathed 1945 Army knife. There goes Homeland Security. Since my brother has been without both for nearly 20 years while I kept them safe for him, I’m saving them for a week to show my nine year-old nephew who will be visiting next weekend. Dee