Not to be forgotten:

I've been home from Haiti for almost a month now. Before I returned I had a few fleeting thoughts:

'Don't forget what you've learned.'

'Don't revert back to old, selfish habits.'

'You have it made.'

Oh, how easy it is to forget. Out of sight, out of mind, right? I am determined to not let this happen to me. I see how easy it is to forget such valuable lessons taught to me by the Haitian people and become concerned with "first world" problems. Often times, our problems could be referred to simply as inconveniences. If you were born in America, you are already blessed.

I brought home a few small souveniers to spread about the house as constant reminders of my time spent in Haiti. I bunched them all together for a photo:

1. The handmade woven bracelets are a popular item there. I paid $2.00 for a little boy to make my navy and white "Karlee" bracelet.

2. My sweet new friend, Manes, gave me the black and orange Haiti bracelet. He also gave me one to give to Jake:)

3. The WWJD bracelet is a common bracelet in the U.S. but this one was given to me by one of my new young friends, so it's special.

4. I purchased the hematite cross necklace from a nice young man who makes and sells jewelry to fund his college education. He was a Mission of Hope high school graduate.

5. The wooden egg jar (I think that's what it is) was also gifted to me by Manes. It was given on our last night and I later found a sweet letter of encouragement and thanks inside.

6. The small canvas painting was another item I purchased. I loved the native women carrying essentials in baskets on their heads surrounded by the water and palm trees. I added it to my little gallery wall, next to other pieces of original artwork.

And that's it for my little treasures. Do you collect any specific souveniers when you travel? If so, what are they?