Keepsakes

 Why do we hold on to some things even though they have no practical value or monetary value? When I moved from a three story house with a large shop to a condo with a garage, I had to seriously downsize. 

I had to be selective about what I kept. Initially, I said I could keep something that was beautiful/sentimental if it was also practical. That meant the copper bowl that used to belong to my grandfather were in. 

But then I found other things that I couldn't fit into that criteria. The Raggedy Anne doll my mother made for example. My mother died at 52. She was not big on hugging or conversations. She expressed her love through making things for people. One Christmas she made all of her six children pajamas. I could not let go of the doll. It reminded me of my mother and who she was. It connected me to a person and to memories. 

Another keepsake I can't let go of is my mother's silver tea service. My grandmother who died before I was born owned it initially and my mother told me stories of the white glove tea parties my grandmother used to have. The last time the tea service was in use was at my wedding over 35 years ago. It sits in a closet in special bags. It has so much silver in it, it tarnishes once exposed to the air. I can't give it up. It connects me to a woman I never knew but for whom I am named after. My middle name, Frances, was the first name of the grandmother I never knew. 

Stories, memories, connections to the past and people are important. In this era of minimalism, some things are worth keeping. How about you? What are you holding on to? Does the item connect you to an event or a person? Does it bring up memories when you hold it? 

Leave a comment with your email. I will be giving away copies of my book Crime Scene Cover-Up or Undercover Mission.