It’s the rolling pin you’ll never part with because it was your grandma’s. The hat you mocked your dad for buying that you now wear every chance you get. It’s an object you hang onto because it connects you to someone dear to you who died. It could be something that belonged to them. Or a gift they gave to you. It might be the pencil you grabbed from your friend’s workbench in the shock right after his death (true story). Or the $40 suede jacket you and your college roommate bought together because neither of you could afford it alone (also true). A keepthing is a love story in disguise. You can read the full collection on Substack or Instagram. And if you’d like to share a story of your own, you can start right here. We’re especially open to submissions from writers of color and underrepresented voices.