Traditionally the title: Things I have not Thrown Away.

Few months ago I read How I Stopped Loving Design by Wicha and I liked it, then I also heard a lot of good things said about this book, so the first chance I got I bought it.

It is a beautiful book, Wicha writes about his mother, remembering her through her things, as he tries to clean up her apartment after she died. It is a very moving book, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Wicha tells us stories about the things but also about his mother, he is not idealizing her, and easily admits he was a difficult person. I liked how he managed to bring her personality through all the various stories, a complete human being with all the good and bad things, weird habits and quirks. She is not a saint or a hero, but she is also not evil, she is deeply human. At the same time Wicha also writes about the importance of things, how they play a role in our life and after how they are associated sith us, we do continue to exist in other people’s memory, but als through things, as transient as they are.

I wish I was able to write such a good book about people I remember, a tribute, but also a very honest memory. Sad and funny, sweet and sour, big and small, just like our lives are. I really hope this book will get translated so more people can interact with it.

Photo by Violetta Kaszubowska @vkphotospace.com