Photos by Kristen Tomkowid
Posted on 07/19/2019 12:02:35 AM PDT by beaversmom
Photos by Kristen Tomkowid
The Claw!
I'm afraid that a few things that were my mom or dad's will probably be given away to strangers or to the junkyard......because the kids really do not want a lot of stuff.....can't blame them....
I’m in the final steps of leaving the country and have been liquidating all my possessions but for a few suitcases and boxes, particularly the past two months. I’ve jokingly told family this is like having an estate sale and I’m the deceased. I’ve literally given away so many things that have some personal meaning as well as a lot of junk I’ll never miss.
What’s liberating is two things - 1) from here on, I won’t be dragged down by tons of possessions, especially furniture, clothes and vehicles and 2) when my time does come, I’ve made it a heck of lot easier for my executor.
I remember Jesus’ words about giving up everything to come follow Him and it does feel very real at times. I’m not unhappy though. So many of these things I can live without.
Awesome read.
Just cleaned out my sisters-in-law’s place. 90% of her stuff went into dumpster. Her “treasures” were NOT treasures accept to her. That’s the way it is most times.
My mother will be 89. In a nursing home since my father died. Owned 2 homes, all full of furniture etc., and a couple cars. Her earthly possessions NOW could fit in a small suitcase.
My mom died a few years ago at 95. Over the years she would give her “treasures” to the kids and grandkids as extra presents. And always told and wrote down the story behind each one of them. That helped a lot rather than “Jeez - here’s ANOTHER cup and saucer - and it don’t match anything else!!??”
Those cups and saucers were gifts to my mom from my dad after he would go out on a hunting or fishing trip! He would always get her a set to sort of make up for being away. Not that mom minded - but it was a nice thought. We got most of them!
Going through the photo albums there was a picture of mom and my dad’s father and some other older guys. Out by a campfire with a pot of coffee on. “Oh - that was opening day of fishing. Your dad was in the war by then, so I took his place to go up fishing! I didn’t go the rest of the years while he was gone!!”
Hey, everybody! Listen to me. I am morally superior! Aren't I special?
bmfl
I find the same attitude with my nieces and nephew. I had two very valuable oriental rugs in perfect condition and offered them to a niece and husband. Finally told them that I could sell the rugs for $10k which finally got them to come get them.
Whoa Death,
Won’t you pass
Me over for a
Little while.
Still happily using my century old hand me down lidded cast iron chicken frying pan, and the skillet my great grandfather wrote about while sitting on a horse or mule drawn wagon somewhere between St Louis and central Oklahoma. He wrote in praise of his wife’s biscuits, which she’d just baked for him in the skillet in the coals of a campfire, and how heavenly they tasted after a long day of traveling with a wagon load of goods for a store in Oklahoma. Those pans have been used for generations and are seasoned with the fat of countless hogs and chickens. My niece has become a chef and has been eyeing them up. At least they won’t be hanging in a Cracker Barrel any time soon.
What a great legacy for her! Be sure and tell her the history behind the cookware.
My mother-in-law was moving years ago and had a big garage sale, and my wife said that she wanted the Hoosier cabinet that she grew up with. Flimsy thing and pretty worn. MIL called and said somebody offered her $800 for the thing. My wife said no way! It is in our kitchen now.
One of these days we might even put a new coat of paint on it.
Yes - it isn’t so much the object, but the stories behind it. And the heritage that those stories pass down. BTW - I was looking into getting a cast-iron skillet. Those things aren’t cheap!!
My children have already put in claims for the pieces of furniture they want when I pass. Now the grandchildren are putting in their requests. I’m happy they want their grandmother’s cherished possessions.
Wal-Mart used to have made in America Lodge cast iron skillets in the housewares section. I’ve been to the foundry in TN.
We just went up to Montana to go through my father-in-law’s house and hold an estate sale. So much of his stuff was worthless, and he held on to everything.
I took some of his wife’s stuff, since she was a seamstress and I am planning to open a craft shop once I retire. There was a tiny old barbecue that was adorable, which I pointed out to my son and husband to bring home if it did not sell, but it sold. Father-in-law made wood decorations with a scroll saw; my husband took the saw and patterns, intending to teach himself as his father taught himself.
We did sell enough to cover the cost of the dumpster and then some, which was our goal.
My sister-in-law kept saying that she does not want to leave a mess like that for her kids to deal with. I completely agree. It is time to ditch the junk. Especially now, as I prepare to retire and we are getting ready to move to Texas.
This was a good article, poignant, blissfully free of the political vile that the left is bombarding us with every day.
Thanks for posting. I’ll have to read this later. My MIL died a month ago and FIL is in a home. Their house in up for sale and still a ton of stuff in it. Kids took what they wanted. I told my FIL I felt like a raider. He just said, “well, where else is it going to go?”. He doesn’t miss his stuff; he misses his dear wife.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.