It happened just a year ago. My family home of seventy years was sold, and everything needed to go. Decades of happy memories, gone through, divided up, donated, or thrown away. My two siblings and I, plus a couple of our kids, chipped in to tackle the monumental task. From the musty basement to the eaves of the dusty old attic, we sorted through our parent’s and grandparent’s lives along with our childhood things. There were laughs, countless stories, and more than a few tears. Parting with a beloved place can be rough.
Then came the effort of taking what we wanted back to our own homes and families. Cars were jam-packed, every remaining box, scrap of paper, and old cloth used as transport material. Two moving trucks later—thank God, because we foolishly imagined we could move some of the big stuff ourselves—we were on our way. It’d been a long time since any of us moved on such on grand scale.
From that "dusty old attic" came Christmas ornaments. Shiny Brites to be precise. Some so old and fragile, there is no way they’d hang on a tree again. To keep them safe I purchased fancy glass jars. They graced my own tables beginning last season, and I just put them out again.
And mom’s dining room table? It’s now in my family room/kitchen space, so our guests can enjoy it. Last Christmas Eve, family and friends shared their own stories around that table. Everything had come full-circle.
Psst...want to hear an author secret? I've got a "thing" for attics, basements, and the treasures they can hide. Perhaps it's more of a ghost hunter thing, but places like those are intriguing to me. They play their parts in my Time Traveler's Journey Series. Take a peek at My Books if you'd like to learn more.
Also, if you're a fan of Shiny Brite ornaments, check out a fun and informative post on the history of these classic holiday decorations by DIY decorating guru Laura Tedesco - CrackerJack23.
Thanks for reading! I wish you ALL a blessed holiday season and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!
~ Kathryn
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Merry Christmas, Kathryn. Thanks for sharing your stories and your Shiny Brites.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Liz! Thanks for reading. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
DeleteI have tons of Shiny Brites and other very old ornaments that are over 100 years old. Unfortunately they are in storage at the moment since we've been in flux for the past two Christmases. My niece expressed interest in some and I know my daughters also wanted some. We'll have to do that 'sorting through the stuff' thing soon so they can find a new home. I love seeing familiar decorations at Christmas, It's so comforting!
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised, Kari, considering how much we have in common! I love the old ornaments best, and I find myself hard-pressed to walk past them if I see them in antique stores. As if I need more. LOL Merry Christmas to you and yours!
DeleteI am very happy to hear so many of your family treasures found new homes to be part of. These days it feels with so many folks downsizing, or choosing "shiny new" these treasured possessions, along with their memories, slip away.
ReplyDeleteI'm very much like the characters in my time travel books, I suppose Kathleen, living in the present but also loving the past. I'm blessed with many happy memories of growing up in a happy home. My mother also kept her treasures and had a bunch from her childhood home. So, there are great family memories from over a century. I'm delighted to be the caretaker of that history.
DeleteBeautiful memories and I know what you mean about the silence and sitting among things that bring forth all those emotions. It hurts but at the same time, it's so wonderful. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt was a surreal experience last Christmas morning, Kara. It had been quite the effort to get everything safely to everyone's houses. That moment was the first time I took to just "feel" it all. Thanks for reading!
DeleteWhen we had decided positively that we were going RVing about the United States, I gave my daughter and son most of our things. Karl and I also had things from our parents. I only kept a few treasured items. Now, going to their homes, I get a warm feeling seeing our treasures lovingly displayed. I loved reading your story. When we went through our parents things, we did the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THAT, Karen! That must be a great feeling! It was interesting, how each of us connected with certain items and memories during the process. My daughter was a HUGE help, and she learned so much about our family's history from this process. She also really connected with my grandfather (mother's side) and brought back some of his things. Including a BIG steamer trunk! I'll share about that another time. Happy holidays!
DeleteThe first two boxes of ornaments my husband and purchased our first Christmas many, many years ago were Shiny Brites. How I wish I still had those two boxes of ornaments! Love your jars! Lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl! They're so fragile it was all I could think to do. Plus, I didn't just want to stuff them away in another attic. They still shine "mostly" bright and make a lovely display that always sparks memories. Thanks for reading. Happy holidays to you!
DeleteSuch a complex time, sorting through the belongings of our beloved family. Many a story can be told when one article we remember is unearthed from storage. Happy that you could bring some of those memories to your home. Enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Nora! My big sister and brother had stories to share from times when I was too little to remember. Since both of our parents are gone now, it was sometimes like a mystery...piecing together very old family history. Quite the experience.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post, Kathy. I guess most of us undertake a mission like that eventually. I did when my mother passed. I still have boxes with things I have no need for, but can't bring myself to get rid of them either. Maybe in 2020 I'll figure out what to do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone in those "boxes." I have some marked Mom's and Dad's Memory Boxes I never seem to get around to going through. Someday. But that's an entirely different story. LOL Best to you and yours, Joan!
DeleteI love your idea to put the shinies into glass jars for display!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karin! I have antique crystal candy dishes that do the trick as well, but they get dusty since they're open. Any excuse to visit an antique shop. LOL My secret is out! *wink*
DeleteIt's unusual to hear that someone actually took home the family items and treasured them. Mostly people don't seem to know what to do with all that. I'm glad you're getting such pleasure out of having your heirlooms close by.
ReplyDeleteSome things definitely had to go, Hannah. It was a hard task, sorting through decades of things. But, I'm very happy with what I integrated into my own home. As I said to Kathleen above, I'm very much an "old soul" type of person. Living happily in the present, but enjoying memories of the past. Happy Holidays!
DeleteI'm sentimental about family things, too, Kathryn. Letting some go is soooo hard. When we downsized six years ago, I despaired of many things we couldn't being with us. Our daughters took what they wanted of the things of which we had to dispose. Even though each of the daughters is sentimental, they only had so much room. Many things I wanted had to be given away or sold. I do love all the memories our Christmas "treasures" resurrect.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Caroline! It did come down to decision time for everyone involved. I still came home and donated items I was on the fence about in the moment. What's been great is integrating these old family treasures into my own home. Like the china closet, now filled with my things. And a very old trunk in Mr. H's office. These things fit well, and that's what I find cool. :D Happy Holidays to you and yours!
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