I understand. I finally donated the last dress of my mother's. I try to practice the Marie Kondo mantra: Thanking each item for its service before sending it on to Goodwill. It's warming to think of the next person who finds something lovely and is thrilled. Thanks for your notes, Dina.
This just hit home for me on every level. I gave away many of my mother's things when she passed away, and she was smart enough to have gotten rid of a lot of junk for me in advance. I do use the China daily and I've been drinking juice and soft drinks out of good crystal for the last twenty years, enjoying every sip thinking of my mom. I remember when I tried to give away her gorgeous tailored suits that were too small for my larger frame, consignment stores turned up their noses. I sat in the car outside sobbing for hours....thinking that my mother's lovely clothing would be unappreciated. Later, after donating to Goodwill and other thrift stores, I chose to imagine that others found them as lovely as I did. Now, I'm trying to go through all of my own "Trial Lawyer Barbie" collection just to give these lovely suits and shoes away. I have no use for this stuff anymore and trying to consign them likely will be a waste of energy and as depression-inducing as attempting this 17 years ago. My treasures will go somewhere to help others as I continue to downsize. Your comment about enjoying the freedom of no longer having them was inspiring.
I started using my Mom's "good china" shortly after she died 37 years ago. I still think of her each time I use it (everyday) and wish she had lasted as long as the damned dishes!!
Susie! How nice to hear from you. I think we are all trying to declutter, and I've begun thanking old stuff as I pitch it into the trash! Hope you are well,
Anne, I love this. I struggle with decluttering, and if I just accept that the kids don't want their stuff - or mine -- this will go faster and easier!
Hi Annie, this hits home, my basement in particular. What? They don’t want their great grandmother’s crystal paperweight collection? They don’t use paper anymore so why would they want a paperweight? The memory boxes are an eye roll, and tinker toys from my own childhood should be kindling. We get no respect!
love
I understand. I finally donated the last dress of my mother's. I try to practice the Marie Kondo mantra: Thanking each item for its service before sending it on to Goodwill. It's warming to think of the next person who finds something lovely and is thrilled. Thanks for your notes, Dina.
This just hit home for me on every level. I gave away many of my mother's things when she passed away, and she was smart enough to have gotten rid of a lot of junk for me in advance. I do use the China daily and I've been drinking juice and soft drinks out of good crystal for the last twenty years, enjoying every sip thinking of my mom. I remember when I tried to give away her gorgeous tailored suits that were too small for my larger frame, consignment stores turned up their noses. I sat in the car outside sobbing for hours....thinking that my mother's lovely clothing would be unappreciated. Later, after donating to Goodwill and other thrift stores, I chose to imagine that others found them as lovely as I did. Now, I'm trying to go through all of my own "Trial Lawyer Barbie" collection just to give these lovely suits and shoes away. I have no use for this stuff anymore and trying to consign them likely will be a waste of energy and as depression-inducing as attempting this 17 years ago. My treasures will go somewhere to help others as I continue to downsize. Your comment about enjoying the freedom of no longer having them was inspiring.
I started using my Mom's "good china" shortly after she died 37 years ago. I still think of her each time I use it (everyday) and wish she had lasted as long as the damned dishes!!
Susie! How nice to hear from you. I think we are all trying to declutter, and I've begun thanking old stuff as I pitch it into the trash! Hope you are well,
Annie
Anne, I love this. I struggle with decluttering, and if I just accept that the kids don't want their stuff - or mine -- this will go faster and easier!
I love this and agree, we all need to use the silver, china and light the candlesticks - who and what are we saving them for???!!!!
Too true
Hi Annie, this hits home, my basement in particular. What? They don’t want their great grandmother’s crystal paperweight collection? They don’t use paper anymore so why would they want a paperweight? The memory boxes are an eye roll, and tinker toys from my own childhood should be kindling. We get no respect!
Yup, so time to respect ourselves and use the good stuff! Miss you!