It was probably September of 1967. I was coming home for my first visit after starting my freshman year at Brandeis. At the last minute I thought about bringing my parents a little something from my college. I picked up a mug (possibly a ceramic beer stein) with the school emblem. 

That mug was prominently displayed in their home - sometimes to my embarrassment. 

Last week, as I was cleaning out my mother’s apartment, I opened a cupboard and there was the mug. I took it down and held it. The price tag of $2.75 was still on the bottom. All the memories came back in an instant. 

Most remarkable was that my mother had kept it. Well, actually not so remarkable. 

I’ll find a place for it.