NwMtGardener
Garden Addicted
I guess I never realized how often families fight over these things. I mean you hear stories, but wow.
I remember I was 17 or so when one of my greatgrandmas passed. At the time there were 2 kids, 4 grandkids and um, half dozen great grands. Most of the great grands were too young to pick out things, but their parents picked a few things for them. We arranged a day when everyone could come to the house at some point, gave everyone masking tape, and just told them to write their name on what they would prefer to inherit. Everything stayed in the house until everyone was done. Then if there were 2 or more names on a particular item, it was just up for discussion. And I remember it being more than civil. People just bowed out gracefully - Oh i really don't have room for this, actually, you take it. Or, compromised, You take the lamp, I'll keep this chair. She had actually given me some of her jewelry, including wedding ring, as I was the oldest grandaughter, before she passed. A beautiful silver necklace, lots of fun old costume pins - ladybugs, birds, etc.
From my dad's side of the family I have an ancient teapot from 4 generations ago. From my dad, a variety of mementos, a rabbit pouch he made to carry his muzzleloader supplies, a powder horn he carved. Belt buckle, an antique family heirloom clock given to my parents at their wedding (it has radioactive dials
)
From my mom's parents (grandma still alive, but in the nursing home now) I just brought home an 1800s tiny leather suitcase for carrying a doll and accessories, it has Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf painted on it. Also a red and clear cut glass cream/sugar/candy bowl collection. Homemade quilt. Lots of old coin purses. I have 2 house ferns from this grandma, asparagus fern and another one (can't think of the name).
Besides all my biological family, our family was close friends with several other older people. One couple who had no children of their own came to every holiday dinner, and always brought my brother and I gifts like we were their own grandchildren. They have both passed on, and I have several wooden carved figurines the husband made.
From husband's side of the family, a diamond ring from his grandmother, lots of antique tools from his maternal grandfather. An ancient fire extinguisher. New cordless drill from his garage.
I guess my point is I have said Yes! I do have lots of mementos. But my mom has accumulated a TON of stuff, and she keeps trying to foist more off on me. My dad's parents are collectors (never get rid of ANYTHING) and when they go it will be an enormous task to deal with all that. Same with husband's maternal grandma. House is packed. Husband is an only child, all his mom and dad's stuff will eventually be dealt with by us. My brother and I have no children. What will happen to it all when we go?? I should really make more of an effort to keep in touch with the distant, younger cousins in PA so they can keep some of this stuff, IF THEY WANT IT!!
I remember I was 17 or so when one of my greatgrandmas passed. At the time there were 2 kids, 4 grandkids and um, half dozen great grands. Most of the great grands were too young to pick out things, but their parents picked a few things for them. We arranged a day when everyone could come to the house at some point, gave everyone masking tape, and just told them to write their name on what they would prefer to inherit. Everything stayed in the house until everyone was done. Then if there were 2 or more names on a particular item, it was just up for discussion. And I remember it being more than civil. People just bowed out gracefully - Oh i really don't have room for this, actually, you take it. Or, compromised, You take the lamp, I'll keep this chair. She had actually given me some of her jewelry, including wedding ring, as I was the oldest grandaughter, before she passed. A beautiful silver necklace, lots of fun old costume pins - ladybugs, birds, etc.
From my dad's side of the family I have an ancient teapot from 4 generations ago. From my dad, a variety of mementos, a rabbit pouch he made to carry his muzzleloader supplies, a powder horn he carved. Belt buckle, an antique family heirloom clock given to my parents at their wedding (it has radioactive dials
)From my mom's parents (grandma still alive, but in the nursing home now) I just brought home an 1800s tiny leather suitcase for carrying a doll and accessories, it has Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf painted on it. Also a red and clear cut glass cream/sugar/candy bowl collection. Homemade quilt. Lots of old coin purses. I have 2 house ferns from this grandma, asparagus fern and another one (can't think of the name).
Besides all my biological family, our family was close friends with several other older people. One couple who had no children of their own came to every holiday dinner, and always brought my brother and I gifts like we were their own grandchildren. They have both passed on, and I have several wooden carved figurines the husband made.
From husband's side of the family, a diamond ring from his grandmother, lots of antique tools from his maternal grandfather. An ancient fire extinguisher. New cordless drill from his garage.
I guess my point is I have said Yes! I do have lots of mementos. But my mom has accumulated a TON of stuff, and she keeps trying to foist more off on me. My dad's parents are collectors (never get rid of ANYTHING) and when they go it will be an enormous task to deal with all that. Same with husband's maternal grandma. House is packed. Husband is an only child, all his mom and dad's stuff will eventually be dealt with by us. My brother and I have no children. What will happen to it all when we go?? I should really make more of an effort to keep in touch with the distant, younger cousins in PA so they can keep some of this stuff, IF THEY WANT IT!!
