I keep stuff.

Stuff that other people might consider useless.

But I don't.

This past weekend I was sifting through letters, cards and artwork I've kept over the years.

Here's some of the treasures I found:

A Mother's Day note written by my son, Ramsey -- which was dated May 11, 2008.

He chronicled a few moments of my life that he found to be inspirational. The following is a small peak:

"Mom, you did something that no other person would do. You managed a rough rural route and continued your college education. Mom, what you did changed my life forever after that. You gave me inspiration to be like you. The day of your college graduation I was so happy. Little did I know what you had accomplished. Now I know what you did and why I would rather have you be my mom more than anyone else in the world ..."

Not bad for a 12-year-old.

And of course the 2008 Mother's Day project from my son, Jazz.

He told me I was "as sweet as candy and as beautiful as a butterfly."

I also found hand-written letters from two of my heroes.

One was written by my grandma Ferree in September 1994. It was a reply to a letter I had sent to her while I was in the nation's capital.

Grandma has since passed but her words live on. I can hear her voice every time I read that treasured letter.

She wrote, "Hi Timberly. I received your letter yesterday. I was surprised I got one. I'm glad you did write me. Yes, I did have a good birthday I was 84 and I still go to church every time the church door opens. I love my Lord ..."

She was gold.

Then there's even the letter that my great-grandmother Nan wrote. Although she never sent it, I just happened upon it after she had passed on.

(Talk about communication from beyond.)

In the letter dated January 1995, Nan provided an update on several family members including cousins Tasha, Tiffany and Erek, my mom, brother Shaun and even Uncle Bill.

It was dated January 1995.

In part it reads, "Hi Sweetie, Now isn't this a big surprise? Think of you everyday and night. Hope everything is going OK ... It's the usual thing around here ... The coming and going. A belated birthday to you, hope it was nice. Thought of you and would have been super to have held you ..."

The letter was never finished. But, I know that the reference to "held you" meant give you a hug. Nan was a very affectionate person who always lathered the love on.

There's also letters from my cousins, Casey and Tammy.

And letters from my long-time friends Dale, Jada and Shireen.

There's letters from my dear, dear friends Tawyna and Deb.

There's birthday, Christmas and Mother's Day cards from my mom, dad, momkoonce, papa and there's little notes from Kade.

I even have notes from a former Postmaster boss lady who had a penchant for calling me out when I screwed up and seemed clueless when I worked my butt off.

And then there's the letters, blog comments and e-mails from readers like you.

And I'm saving those for another time and place. (Like next week's view.)

There's the good, the bad and the downright nasty ... Boy, will this stuff come in handy when I write that book.

Write on.

Timberly Ferree is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487.