As African Americans, there are some truths and traditions we hold dear to our hearts. Some are stranger than others, but they keep us, us. Now, I know I am not the only one who has witnessed his or her mom/grandmother saving the most random things. There were just some things you never saw them throw away and never dared to do so yourself. Listed below are just a few my family kept around the house.
1. Crown Royal Sacks
These handy sacks were anything from my pencil case to my mom's receipt bag and down to my uncle's domino bag. My grandmother, well, she just keeps them for no particular reason at all.
2. Grocery Bags
This bag has been recycled like no other thing I have ever known. Need a shower cap? Something to flour chicken in? Something to protect your new sneaker during rain? A trash bag? - This bag has been loyal to my family.
3. Milk Jugs
Water pitcher? Nope, recycled milk/juice jug. Under no circumstances were you allowed to throw this away. It did not matter how many were accumulated.
4. Butter Containers
Do I even have to explain this one? You guys know what's up. You might as well go buy some butter before opening this deceiver. We all know it's either last night's dinner or maybe even last week's.
5. Condiments
The entire family has either a bowl or drawer that looks like this at their house. My mom would always stash a few in her purse when we made a fast food run.
6. Cell Phones
I don't know what the deal is with cellphones, but I can assure you at least five of your family members has at least a Nokia or Motorola stashed somewhere. Maybe they are waiting for them to come back in style.
7. Cooking grease
There was always that one pot or bucket that help used cooking oil or grease. Honestly, I've only witnessed it being reused once.
8. Canned Goods
My mom and grandma would give anything canned an everlasting shelf life. There is no checking expiration dates and throwing it out. They would have a stock, like pictured below, but still pick up more on every grocery run.
Without a doubt, we all have seen at least one of the products around our grandparents' or parents' home. Saving these random items could be an addiction or just a tradition, either way, it taught us all a lesson: what's on the container is never what's in the container.
