The meaning of souvenirs in this book is deeper and emotional than most of the readers would want. The souvenirs are usually considered some trifles, that are collected in the course of vacation; pretty shells, postcards, trinkets, or stones. In the story of Mickey, however, they are more big, hazardous, and powerful.
In the case of Mickey, the souvenirs can be started with seashells, which are little, common fragments of the Maine coastline that she gathers when she goes out to walk along the seashores at sunrise with her grandfather, Pipere. These shells are not chosen because they are perfect or flawless they are chosen because they mean something. Others are broken, others are strange-shaped, and others are smoothened by the waves. Yet all of them are moments: the hand of Pipere leads her, the sun is rising on the horizon, the silent talks they are having and quiet beat of the ocean. This way the shells will be not a collection of objects, but a collection of memories.
These shells are depicted in the book to influence the concept of sentimental value adopted by Mickey. Whereas other kids would carry along with them store-bought toys or gifts posted with names of places, Mickey is taught to appreciate the things that are made within the heart of her experience. Every shell is a reference to friendship, miracle, and unconditional love of her grandfather.
The other significant souvenir in the journey of Mickey is presented when she goes back home after visiting France. As a present to Pipere, she selects a homemade pipe made of local material. It is considerate, and it is what was selected out of love, and it is what she wants to bring him something special that he has not had far away. This pipe is not gathered at the same time as the shells but is instead an image of how they are bound together despite the distance. The emotional strength of souvenirs becomes even greater when Mickey shortly finds the pipe in the hands of Pipere during his funeral.
One of the most poignant souvenirs in the book perhaps comes when Mickey comes back to Maine several years later a grandmother. As she revisits the cabins that she used to visit as a child, she finds the pearl-handled knife used by her mother in one of the kitchen drawers. This blade of the knife has not been touched by time; it becomes a transition between generations. It is not just a kitchen gadget but it is a part of the history of her mother, reminisces of vacations gone by, and a tangible attachment to a relationship that Mickey loved deeply.
The way in which souvenirs change with the course of time is also brought out in the story. The shells of Mickey as a child and the knife of her mother as a mother is an original treasure to her grandchildren once they go to the same Maine beach. The children gather their shells themselves, investigate tide pools and make new memories, memories that can eventually become their souvenirs. Mickey observes them lovingly, knowing the heritage of souvenirs does not lie in the ability to cling to the past, but share forward the moments that matter. The art of souvenirs is made generational through her grandchildren.
Place is also deeply intertwined in souvenirs in this book. Maine coast turns into a treasure chest, in which a new surprise is revealed every time. The cabins, the candy shop where Mickey purchases saltwater taffy, the walks she used to take with pipere, all is a souvenir of its own kind. They are sites where they have emotional memories attached to them and when Mickey comes back as an adult, she does not see an ordinary beach but she sees a compilation of all the childhood events that have contributed to her.
The cloud that looks like a halo floating over the beach is one of the most symbolic moments of the movie, when Mickey appears as a souvenir. She takes it as a reminder of Pipere which makes her feel that he is still there with her. Although this is not a material thing, it will remain a spiritual souvenir- a memory she will live with her whole life.
Mickey takes her grandchildren to the same Maine seaside cabins, where she once was happiest in her life, which she used to visit with her Pipere. Even though the cabins are changed wholly, the beach looks the same as it did before: the same soft sand, the same fresh air, the same coastline with tiny treasures hidden there. When Mickey watches her grandchildren picking up sea shells, she feels that new souvenirs are being born, the symbols of a legacy that now is being handed to their hands.
The most heart-warming scene in the book is when Mickey finds the pearl-handled knife of her mother hidden in a kitchen drawer in the cabinet. This genuine surprise that has been preserved over decades turns into a multi-generational souvenir. It reminds her that family tales still exist in their usual places and are ready to be rediscovered by the returning ones.
The novel culminates emotionally when Mickey gazes at the sky and notes a halo-shaped cloud in the sky above the beach, a silent message of the still presence of Pipere. It is a scene that excellently brings the message of souvenirs together, love does not go away, it only transforms.
Using seashells, letters, treasured mementos, the story of Mickey celebrates the strength of generational love and gives the reader a reminder that the souvenirs are not merely objects but also the gifts of memory, bonding, and family heritage.
Written in partnership with Tom White
