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Yesterday, Today
and Tomorrow

Preserving Memories with a Family Time Capsule

By Mark Stackpole

As romantic as that notion may be, remember that burying a time capsule outdoors can seriously compromise its strength and ability to preserve the items contained inside. The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS), based at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga., is very interested in finding, documenting and protecting time capsules all around the world. Here are some tips from the ITSC for potential time-capsulers:

• Select a specific retrieval date. The longer the duration, the more difficult the task.
• Select a container, such as a safe. As long as the interior is cool, dark and dry, artifacts can be preserved.
• Find a secure indoor location.
• Have a "sealing ceremony" where you formally christen the time capsule and give it a name.
• Don't forget about it!

It might seem strange that a few small things collected in a simple container could hold the key to such big, important memories. But what is life other than a collection of tiny items that turn into something much bigger? After all, seconds become minutes. Minutes become hours. Hours become days. Days become years. Years become lifetimes. And while we cannot remember every single second of every single day, we can hold on dearly to the most important ones. We may live for today, but by holding onto yesterday (just a little bit), we are paving the way for a promising tomorrow.