“Each time an individual tells a part of his or her life story, those who listen are like a mirror, reflecting and affirming their lives.”
John Kunitz Founder of Reminiscence and Life Review
The great part of presenting the relics found from metal detecting and bottle digging is that the seniors who see these “objects” bring them to life. When a relic hunter finds an object one of the rewarding aspects of the find is learning more about that item.
It is amazing what you can learn about the artifact from research on the web today. You can learn the age of the item, how the artifact was used, and why they used it. This is all very exciting and part of the reason why this hobby is so rewarding.
The real reward however is showing this artifact, that was just in the ground for 50-100 or more years, to others who may have actually used the item or remember the artifact from their past. Doing presentations to seniors is extremely rewarding for that reason. These relics are now real because they are a part of someones history, someones memory.
So whether it’s a lead toy soldier, marbles, an old medicine, soda, milk, or ink bottle, farm equipment, 1940’s & 1950’s license plate, or any other artifact, these “things” are a part of a shared history. The item may take the senior back to a simpler time perhaps however the experience is unique to the individual and that is the beauty of doing these presentations.