Forgotten artifacts carelessly tossed in a corner of the attic.  An old coat or shirt dry rotting on a hanger in the back of the closet.  Dismantled or broken appliances, furniture or toys.

They all offer insights from which we might postulate as to whom we really are and why we may be or act a certain way.  Our past defining us, presently.

Solid answers, however, are in the tangible.  Scrapbooks, notes, letters.

Photographs.

I spent some time in the attic a few days ago on a completely unrelated quest and stumbled upon this little gem from my past.

I think it explains a lot.