Treasures of the Heart

Heirlooms can take many forms. Some are very expensive items that have been passed down through generations. Our family heirlooms are more about sentimentality than value. In my family, we have items that carry meaning. When Mom passed away in 2004, she had told each of us girls which of her rings she wanted us to have. Mine was her cameo, Sandy’s was Mom’s grandmother’s ring, Michelle’s ring was a blue tiger’s eye and Lisa’s was Mom’s engagement ring. 

My mom lived with my husband and me for 13 years before she passed. The items she brought with her when she moved in with us were the things she enjoyed living with. We chose a few of her things as keepsakes to remember her by. I remember the day we divided her belongings among me and my sister and Sandy’s two daughters, Lisa and Michelle. It seemed like we each knew which things were important to us.

I have a strong feeling that when I pass away, most of my things will be sold, donated, or given away. I think there are very few items that our son Matt will be interested in. I think that his memories of the good times we all shared will be more important than the material things that we owned.

I have always felt sorry for families that have huge arguments and hurt feelings over the things that their parents and grandparents owned. Our family didn’t have any of these issues. Maybe it was because we all had many of the things we wanted already. 

My Dad’s brother, Lloyd repaired and rebuilt clocks. He called himself the Clock Meister. He was very generous with giving each of us clocks before he passed away. Uncle Lloyd’s clocks have become treasured keepsakes. 

I value my memories of all of those in our family that have passed away. I have chosen two items to feature in this writing. One is the antique bowl and pitcher set that was owned by my father’s mom. The second is a plate featuring the 23rd Psalm that was a treasured keepsake of my mom’s mother. We do not have many physical items to remember our relatives by. We do instead have wonderful memories of the experiences we shared, the love we received every day, and the happiness that we shared in the time we spent together. Material things come and go. Loved memories last forever.

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