Well, I’m back to trying to get things taken care of again after a break at the holidays. I think that was so needed to just step back for a bit and not be going so hard at getting things done. I’ve started looking at some things I left here again and reorganizing it a bit. Now that I’ve been thru just about everything, I think I can look at things with a different perspective again.
I believe now that I can honestly see things and know that I don’t have to hang onto all of it. I actually have taken stuff back to my dad’s to include with the items to sell. It was very interesting when I first started looking thru all of it and wondering where it came from, who had it, what did they do with it and then setting it aside cause I was afraid I would be giving away something that meant to much to someone, it was to much all at once to get rid. Taking that break helped me see that I don’t have to hang on to all of the items I’ve found. I have set aside quite a bit still because most of those items are personal from the family member who had them. I’m keeping them because it makes me feel close to someone I didn’t get the chance to know. I get to make up my own assumption of what they were like, what they did, what they liked to do. It’s actually been fun to imagine in my mind that person and how they fit into my life. They are a good memory.
Not all tokens or items need to be saved. I think I will take some pictures of items I’ve decided to let go to someone that might enjoy them more and keep the ones that I feel had more meaning to that person. I never got the chance to know my great grandparents but thru this experience, I have! They left a lot of items that obviously meant so much to them that I am keeping to remember them by and then to hand them down when it’s time. I also am keeping things from my parents and grandparents that show me another side of them they didn’t want to discuss for whatever the reason.
I know some memories make us sad, but remembering those memories is what makes us who we are and who we want to be. You may discover someone or several someones in your past who gave so much of themselves to others, it might inspire you to do the same.
I know now that what I am doing and how I am going about it is the right way to do this and I believe my dad would be happy with what I am saving and setting aside. The memory I have created of them and the items they left me to do that with has been very cathartic. When someone or several someones you love so much have turned into a memory, that memory has turned into a treasure to carry with you the rest of your life. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to discover my ancestors and have the memories of them I do, I wish everyone could discover what I have.