they're gone

I had a sad experience.  My passport expired.  That's not so sad.  But in order to get a new one I had to send the expired passport in with my application and fees.  And they don't give it back.  Inside that passport were a lot of stamps.  And all of those stamps were reminders of great times on great trips, with great friends, and a European life that is now behind us.  
Deep breath.  
Sniff, sniff.
Let's get to work filling this one.