Some collections are built with expensive treasures.
Others are built one envelope at a time.
In this episode of Things That Matter, I had the joy of sitting down with my longtime friend, author and professional organizer Felice Cohen, whose collection of more than 1,000 handwritten letters tells the story of an entire lifetime.
What fascinated me most wasn’t simply that she kept every letter; it was what happened when she reread them years later.
During the pandemic, Felice began organizing decades of correspondence from friends, family, teachers, former partners, and loved ones. As she arranged them chronologically, she realized something remarkable: these letters had become an autobiography written by everyone else.
Instead of seeing herself through her own memories, she was able to see herself through the eyes of the people who knew and loved her.
That’s an extraordinary gift.
Our conversation naturally wandered into so many of the themes I love exploring: rejection letters, thank-you notes, sympathy cards, caregiving, organizing our possessions, and the stories that give ordinary objects extraordinary meaning.
One of my favorite moments came when we realized that sympathy cards and thank-you notes are love letters, too. They remind us that every handwritten message represents someone who paused their busy life to connect with another human being.
As always, I asked my legacy question:
“What would you want to happen to these letters when you’re gone?”
Felice shared that her growing collection is becoming the foundation for her next book, a memoir built around the voices of the people who wrote to her throughout her life. It’s a beautiful reminder that our belongings become infinitely more valuable when we preserve the stories attached to them.
I often say that our homes are our personal museums.
The objects themselves may not be priceless.
But the stories they carry absolutely are.
I hope this conversation encourages you to write a letter, save a meaningful one, or simply ask someone about the story behind an object they’ve kept for years.
Because those stories are the real legacy we leave behind.
To find out more about this beautiful human doing important healing work in the world, visit:
Website: www.felicecohen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felicecohen90/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felicecohenauthor
Are you looking to build deeper connections, community & legacy with your employees, volunteers, donors, community, alumni, family, friends, residents, team or event participants? Hire me to host a unique story-sharing gathering, playshop, exhibition or retreat. Email me at martie at showandtales dot com
Have a story of a special item you’d love to share? Reach out to Martie McNabb at info at showandtales dot com and be part of a future episode with the Subject line: Podcast Guest✨
If you were asked, “What Things would tell your life story?” What Things would you choose? Look around your home, office & even on yourself …. what Things do you surround yourself with & what stories would they tell? Grab my My Life in 30 Things playsheet to list your Things that matter here: https://www.showandtales.com/30-things-story/
Watch here:
Or Listen Here:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed