SOL16 #22/31 -
I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community for Day Twenty-Two of Thirty-One of the Slice of Life Challenge in March. Thank you Stacey, Tara, Anna, Betsy, Dana, Kathleen, Beth, and Deb. 
As I move around my house, I notice the "things" I have. I've been here three years now, after cleaning out, having a big sale, and finding a wonderful new place for me. It was closer to my husband who was living in a nursing home by then, closer to my daughter and family. I'm in the city now, and close to museums and lovely little shops that I like. While my home is smaller, I still kept some "things", what I wanted to keep, to help make a new home. I did downsize, but still have plenty of room for family to stay! And plenty of room for bookshelves and books, of course.I'm sure you know that a "but" is coming. Much can be given, sold or thrown away, BUT what about those things that connect with my past? Will certain memories disappear? Will someone else make new memories with these objects? I suspect that this is what my grandparents, and then parents wondered as well. My children are wonderful, but, as my husband and I did, too, they can only keep so much. I walked around the house and took a few pictures of important things, memories. I bet you have some, too.
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| A grandfather's little man, given to me when I went to college. |
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| A woven heart made for me by my daughter when she was a little girl. |
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| From my son, the mother's pins that moms receive as their sons move through Scouting. My grandson will soon receive his Eagle award, too. |
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| A piece of pottery, a prize winner at a show, given to me by my husband on our 25th anniversary. |
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| A special turtle from my grandson, who began to love them on one of our ocean trips together. |
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| Heart rocks collected by my granddaughter, brought to me from one of her special trips. |
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| A desk crafted by a great uncle of my husband, a master carpenter. |
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| A purple cow creamer that lived on a grandmother's dresser when I was growing up, now on mine. |
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| A favorite painting by my mother who was an artist. |
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| A pot created in school made by my son, Nathan. |
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| My daughter's painting of her favorite creature, The Horse With The Goofy Grin. |
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| I have a small collection of birds, and my daughter-in-law gave me this one that belonged to her own grandmother. |
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| My brother created a pair of bookends for me, and Steinbeck's Travels With Charley, a surprise gift from my husband, knowing how much I loved it. |
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| A grandmother's childhood rocker, perhaps about 112 years old now. My children were too old when I received it, but my grandchildren rock in it now. |
I love getting a peek into your home and looking at your treasures! I love the painting of the horse with the silly grin. Beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle, you can see that I like it, too!
DeleteThat purple cow! Linda, I love this slice. What beautiful memories. You've also inspired some writing. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kendra, hoping to see special things of yours, too.
DeleteThose treasures that you have kept is what makes your new house a home with your distinctive style and memories. But I'm sure the choices you had to make along the way to just these were difficult ones.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a glimpse into what is so special for you.
You're welcome, Karen, it was nice to "gather" these in a post.
DeleteI know others will look at our treasures as "stuff" one day, but you can't measure the joy that stuff gives when you have a history with each item. I have been trying to let go of stuff, but it is so hard when it can take you back to a previous time and place. A lovely walk through your home and memories today.
ReplyDeleteI went through so many things, and let go of so much that it may take a while for me to try again. I will, though, want to leave less for my kids to deal with. Thanks, Elsie.
DeleteI can so
ReplyDeleteRelate to the things you carry along with you .
Declittering as they now call it is good but hard.
I'm moving around the things I carry
Seeing them
With fresh eyes and reliving the history they
carry
I love yours too
Bonnie
Thanks, Bonnie, I know that you've more recently been doing this, and appreciate the poignancy of letting go.
DeleteWow, Linda these are treasures. I have a few of my own as well. When we moved I wanted to clear out some of my things as well, but of course I too kept those things that brought such fond memories. Great slice and the idea for a new slice!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lynn, I do feel like it was good to weed out, but there is still more to do. I'll keep messing with it, I'm sure. The books need a look through for sure.
DeleteWhat a pleasure to have the little tour of your special objects. Fascinating collection. When I read the captions I felt how much love and appreciation the objects, old and new, create. Seeing art from your mom and from your daughter shows such a neat connection over generations I couldn't help but smile when I saw the Horse with the Goofy Grin.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Terje. I appreciate the creativity of my mother and daughter a lot. My daughter did a lot of stories and cartooning about that horse. Perhaps she'll make it into a story someday.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post of beautiful memories and objects. "The Things I Carry" would be a magical April Poetry Project... And that horse with the goofy grin made my afternoon!! xx
ReplyDeleteWow, Amy, I think you just gave me my April idea. I was thinking of doing haiku again, but this would be particularly special. Thank you.
DeleteSo fun to see your special things. I love finding heart rocks. I may have to do this for a slice.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do, Jone, and others too. I enjoyed the choosing.
DeleteIt is so hard to downsize when every piece has a story or evokes a special memory. I know, we have been trying to do it. It is always nice go get a glimpse into a person's life by seeing what has meaning to them. Thanks for sharing, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThere is more, as you might imagine, but these are both the little and the big, hoping someone else might love them too. Thank you.
DeleteEach item, so lovingly curated by you, speaks volumes about the life you have led and all the love it embodies.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tara. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. These things are special indeed.
DeleteSave them!!!! I have so many of my mother's treasured things and the items I loved from childhood. I have the smallest home of my siblings, but I took the most. My kids and nieces and nephews love them - love hearing the stories that go with each item. Over the years I plan to give items that match certain kids to them - so they will be the "keepers of the memory." I love this post so much --thank you for validating all the "stuff" I now have around my house.
ReplyDeleteClare
And thank you, too, Clare. I know that many will be saved, and that makes me happy. I'm glad to hear you took special things of your mother's, and that you share and will share the stories too.
DeleteI loved getting to know you better through these special items that hold such special memories, Linda! We are moving to a bigger house, not a smaller one, but it still makes you think about what to keep... I always end up keeping too much, but how can you throw away memories? :-) (Your woven heart was my favorite!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer, I didn't know you were moving. What a wonderful thing to find just the right "things" for it. It is hard not to keep it all, but I also think I've kept plenty!
DeleteI loved this tour of your special things Linda and the stories that go with each one. So wonderful. I don't know how you part with these things. Likely you can't :-)
ReplyDeleteWill just have to see what I think in a few years, too, Carrie. They are special for sure. Thanks.
DeleteHandmade things are extra special, aren't they? Thanks for the tour, Linda. xo
ReplyDeleteYes, and I didn't even notice that most of these I shared are "hand-made" until after posting. Thanks, Tabatha.
DeleteWhat a wonderful collection of memory-steeped objects. I loved seeing all these items you treasure and eagerly anticipated each caption. I especially like that your objects cover generations, past, present and future. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Molly.
DeleteSeeing these treasures helps me know you even better. They say where your heart lies...with your family.
ReplyDeleteYes, so right, Margaret, always. Thanks!
DeleteWhat a endearing set of treasures. Your life has been filled with riches.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bernadette, yes I think it has.
Delete