theburninghouse:

Name: Melania Semerad-Meier
Age: 40
Location: Zürich & NYC
Occupation: Web Design+
Website: http://www.melania.com/

List:

In 2010 my husband and I celebrated my birthday in Paris. After a couple of hours on the TGV I felt a sudden rush of adrenalin, 100% sure I had left the oven on. Since I had my passport, my first thought was of our neighbors, followed by concern for my teddy bear Lache. In that moment I realized he’s the only possession I care about. I do value my jewelry, baby teeth, art collection (most pieces were gifts from my best friends), and childhood photos. But nothing can replace Lache who saw me through all the difficult turning points in my life: surviving the 7.2, 1977 earthquake in Bucuresti, moving 10 times over a 25 year span, losing my dad to ALS, breaking up and being broken up with.

Lache is with me in Zürich, as I try to adapt to a completely different culture. He’s resting in the closet in a thin pink mesh fabric bag my mom made for him. After I’m dead, I want to be cremated with Lache. I feel guilty for taking him with me but I hope he will understand I don’t want either one of us to be alone.

Of all the posts on The Burning House project, this is one of the most touching.