I save too much stuff. Mostly, I save papers and/or objects because I have a project in mind. Sometimes, though, it’s pure sentimentality. Here’s one from the latter category.
In the mid-1970s, a company offered to families a cute way to save small children’s artwork; paper on the refrigerator door doesn’t last that long. This company sent some sort of specially treated paper the child would draw on; parents then sent the paper back to the company, which fused the drawing onto a Texas Ware melamine plate, which then became the child’s own dinner plate.
I no longer remember whether I found out about this or it was something my mother or aunt sent us. So I had my then maybe four-year-old daughter do three of these plates, and this is the last one I have. I offered it to my now 50-year-old daughter whether she wanted it, and she said no. (She has little sentimentality.) Since she has no kids herself, there’s no one in the direct family who’d have any interest in it.
So I am now free/required/forced to throw it away. Here's the plate. If anyone reads this and might have some sort of use for it, speak now and I’ll mail it to you.
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I love your post. Kevin also wrote about his son getting rid of things today. My parents saved everything. EVERYTHING. My brother and I are having to say no to so many things that my dad offers us. It offends my father, and I know it. I think what hurts his heart is that he has all the memories associated with what we don't want. For him, it's the sentiment. For us, it's the lack of practicality without the memories tied to the when and where of acquisition. You are giving your daughter a wonderful gift of understanding by knowing she doesn't feel the need to make the space for this. I think that is such a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I started getting rid of things after my mother, father, and sister died within three years, and I realized the work involved in going through SOMEONE ELSE's memories — because that's often what it is. I'm trying to avoid that for my daughter with my own things, but it is hard.
DeleteI know this will be my kids when I am handing them “stuff”. I’ve already squirreled away some things they didn’t want almost 10 years ago. I think I’m hoping they will forget I asked them about it & might say yes this time!
ReplyDeletethey might say "yes" the next time, but be prepared for them saying "no" again.
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