Those 70ish Girls

I read a remark from someone on Facebook regarding stuff. It said we shouldn’t be focused on accumulating things that, in the end, won’t matter. Why should we leave a bunch of “stuff” behind for our family to sort through and get rid of. “You can’t take it with you” was the point.

Though I am the queen of disposing of stuff, I do see the other side of it.

I remember going to my mother-in-law’s house after she passed. Though she had a massive amount of stuff to be gone through, some of the things she left behind brought back beautiful memories to those she left behind. Her children spent days listening to albums she had collected through the years. Many were family favorites that, to this day, mean something. She left behind photo albums and beautiful needlepoint pictures that she had painstakingly completed. There were other things, including pieces of jewelry, both expensive and costume that were keepers for the kids who remembered their mother wearing them. They were a part of their memories of her.

When Kip and I downsized this last time, I didn’t keep much, but even I have special memories attached to a few things. I kept a small wooden chest that has been in my family since before I was born. My brother and I remember the space it occupied in our old house. In those days, it held all of the family photos. That little chest survived a few moves and a flood. It is relatively unscathed. I really appreciate that Gus sent it to me after my mother passed away and he ran acrossed it in storage.

I also kept some of my Aunt Irma’s costume jewelry. I just wore a pair of her earrings to church on Sunday. I have some of Mom’s things, too. Gus gave me a Christmas sweatshirt when I visited him recently. I have several pictures of Mom looking festive in it.

So don’t toss out or give away all of your stuff. Keep a few things that your loved ones might want to look through. Your stuff might be a family member’s treasure, and they might appreciate reliving the memories of you and special times.