Yesterday I went over to my parent’s house to look at the items the auctioneers had already pulled out for the estate sale (taking place on Saturday).
I took as many pictures as possible so that I could remember every piece. Each trinket was a treasure to my Mom. Many of the figurines and much of the china had been passed down to her from some of her aunts and her mother. I have seen most of these pieces my entire life. Now they lay there on a table for someone else to purchase and enjoy.
Each piece belonged to my family and now they will find new homes.
Belong
Oh, the treasures my Daddy squirreled away! He was quite the collector! Since he grew up in the depression, he didn’t believe in throwing ANYTHING away (I really don’t say that lightly).
I walked by each piece yesterday, trying to etch the images in my mind. All of these old farm implements once belonged to my grandfather, then to my Dad.
I know these are just items — inanimate objects — but they have been a part of the backdrop of my life at my parent’s home. See, we didn’t move from that spot. I was born there and I remained there until I married my husband at the age of 22. It was a place I belonged. But now that my parents are gone … pieces are going too. Pieces that reminded me that I belonged.
As I was pulling out of my parent’s drive I saw a big maroon dish and said to one of the employees, “Oh! We ate a lot of steaks off of that platter” and the lady said, “Yes, your sister said the same thing.” For some reason that made me cry and the river was on …
Belong
Today I am linking with Lisa-Jo for 5-Minute Friday. She provides the prompt and we write for 5 minutes to see what spills out. Today’s prompt: BELONG
Please click on her button below:
Beth what a beautiful post and what a beautiful tribute to your mom and dad! It sounds like you were blessed with a great home to belong to and how the memories now wrap you with love. May they continue to do so and may the things that brought you such comfort do the same for those who come to the estate sale.
This makes me cry too, Beth. 🙁 It’s been three years since my parents died, but we still haven’t cleaned out the house because a nephew moved in. Once he moves out and we decide to sell, we’ll have a lot of that emotional work left to do, getting rid of things that have such meaning and memories. Blessings to you, friend, as you through the estate sale.
Oh, Beth … this is hard to read, because it hits home on many levels. Thank you for sharing this difficult season with us …
Yes, it’s just stuff but there are memories of your parents. I’m sure it was hard. Thinking of you on your birthday!!!!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
What a beautiful way to belong! At the time my grandparents moved to a nursing home and then eventually passed on I was unable to take on any of their belongings. It’s an understood thing in the family that that’s where the furniture will remain. I have since been blessed with (among others) their beautiful big old lounge suite. I still refer to it as theirs and never sit there without imagining them in place with their cup of tea. And yes, even though ultimately it’s just stuff -it makes me feel a part of something and like I belong. I pray that all goes well with your sale. Blessings 🙂
such a nice post.