We were able to keep my MiLs keepsakes but it was still costly to move her from Hawaii to Maryland. We also took care of my wife’s Aunt, from row house in Georgetown DC. The good thing is neither one of them were present as we got to chose, what was kept, donated, given away or sold at estate sale. No issues with either one of them.
In 2000, my parents moved from a 5-bedroom house to a 1-bedroom Seniors apartment. We kids all had to go through our own memories that we had left behind. For me, it broke my heart that I didn’t have room for a lot of things, like the kitchen glass-front cabinet with my mother’s china teacup collection. I DID manage to keep a few of the cups, tho.
I didn’t move for the first 40 years of my life, and have moved 10 times in the past 22 years. I have gotten rid of a lot of “stuff”, but the memories live on.
And.. sadly all those treasures become an albatross around the neck of those you give them to. Those boxes of memories get put in a closet.. taking up space for memories of the next generation.. and so it goes. .
Lynn’sNotesIt was fun to see these dailies again. For the past week, I have been helping a friend move, and soon I will be moving to a new place of my own. I have been going through my friends’ keepsakes, collections and personal things, as well as my own. It’s important to go through the items we have collected and treasured throughout our lives. It gives us the opportunity to revisit some wonderful moments in our history. It also gives us the opportunity to chuck out a load of #%$##@* junk!!!*
There is a solution of how to downsize without getting rid of your “memories”. It’s called “rent a storage unit” until you are definitely ready to let go.
Try moving to a foreign country with a limited amount of luggage. You really do have prioritize practical needs over memories. A couple of trips back to the States and I now have photo albums that my late mother , brother, and aunt had. Small items of family jewelry and a couple of odd personal mementos, but for the most part most of my own life’s memories are in my head. At 70, I live in the present and the future, not the past. I saved to photos not for reminiscence but for their eventual historical value of showing a future generation how folks liked and looked like in my grandparent’s ( I have some really early photographs ), my parent’s and my generation.
I’m currently working as a care aide at an assisted living facility. It’s frustrating when the residents try to cram all their stuff into the tiny apartments. They can’t move around when they have to use a wheelchair, and when we have to call EMTs there’s no room for the gurney!
On the other hand, some of the residents have families that don’t care about them, and they sit in virtually empty apartments. No photos, no furniture beyond a bed and a nightstand, a few shabby clothes. :(
When I cleaned out my mother’s house, I was surprised at how little people wanted. My cousin got all the Chinese Items and some family papers (per my mother’s wishes), her sister took a desk and some of the rest of the family papers, another wanted a picture and I took another picture (both drawn by my mother. The rest was either thrown out, sold or donated to charities. As her guardian, I had to take ALL the financial papers.
I’ve moved myself and cleaned out more than 1 relatives homes. Thank goodness for digital cameras! I love looking at pix of old homes that are on my computer. I’ve scanned pix and articles that my Mom saved and shared them with family. I scanned my Moms often used and much loved hand written recipe cards. I’ve shared the recipes with some people and I have the original cards in my safe.
I noticed, too, having helped some of my friends to clean out their parents’ houses after their parents went to assisted living or died, that it was easier to “toss” stuff away when the person who lived in that house isn’t there.
Mom had so much and couldn’t bear to give it away because she rememered each one and who gave it to her. . After she passed, we took it to the senior center where they spread it all out on tables and let people have it. Especially the clothes shoes, etc. The ladies running the place sad the things were badly needed and much appreciated.
Templo S.U.D. about 8 years ago
it’s so hard to let go of the past
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member about 8 years ago
It was really hard on my MIL. She had so much and the room at the Assisted Living place was so small.We tried to put as many trinkets is as possible.
legaleagle48 about 8 years ago
You’re only giving away the physical reminders. The memories themselves will always stay in your heart.
A purring cat is the best tranquilizer about 8 years ago
Digitize as much as you can – the pictures take up much less space and help the memories stay fresh.
Cminuscomics&stories Premium Member about 8 years ago
If you have something of interest to a friend or relative, give it to them now, Otherwise, your kids will just throw into the dumpster.
Stew Bek Premium Member about 8 years ago
We were able to keep my MiLs keepsakes but it was still costly to move her from Hawaii to Maryland. We also took care of my wife’s Aunt, from row house in Georgetown DC. The good thing is neither one of them were present as we got to chose, what was kept, donated, given away or sold at estate sale. No issues with either one of them.
psychlady about 8 years ago
Maybe she could pack the most important things in boxes and stack them in a closet in her new place.
Egrayjames about 8 years ago
My Mom had alzheimer’s disease …. no memories to give away.
Wren Fahel about 8 years ago
In 2000, my parents moved from a 5-bedroom house to a 1-bedroom Seniors apartment. We kids all had to go through our own memories that we had left behind. For me, it broke my heart that I didn’t have room for a lot of things, like the kitchen glass-front cabinet with my mother’s china teacup collection. I DID manage to keep a few of the cups, tho.
ladykat about 8 years ago
I didn’t move for the first 40 years of my life, and have moved 10 times in the past 22 years. I have gotten rid of a lot of “stuff”, but the memories live on.
Alberta Oil Premium Member about 8 years ago
And.. sadly all those treasures become an albatross around the neck of those you give them to. Those boxes of memories get put in a closet.. taking up space for memories of the next generation.. and so it goes. .
Sportymonk about 8 years ago
Going through my in-laws things, my wife and I found a copy of the newspaper announcing the surrender of Japan for the end of WWII.
eelee about 8 years ago
Lynn’sNotesIt was fun to see these dailies again. For the past week, I have been helping a friend move, and soon I will be moving to a new place of my own. I have been going through my friends’ keepsakes, collections and personal things, as well as my own. It’s important to go through the items we have collected and treasured throughout our lives. It gives us the opportunity to revisit some wonderful moments in our history. It also gives us the opportunity to chuck out a load of #%$##@* junk!!!*
summerdog86 about 8 years ago
There is a solution of how to downsize without getting rid of your “memories”. It’s called “rent a storage unit” until you are definitely ready to let go.
Linguist about 8 years ago
Try moving to a foreign country with a limited amount of luggage. You really do have prioritize practical needs over memories. A couple of trips back to the States and I now have photo albums that my late mother , brother, and aunt had. Small items of family jewelry and a couple of odd personal mementos, but for the most part most of my own life’s memories are in my head. At 70, I live in the present and the future, not the past. I saved to photos not for reminiscence but for their eventual historical value of showing a future generation how folks liked and looked like in my grandparent’s ( I have some really early photographs ), my parent’s and my generation.
Chansonreve about 8 years ago
I’m currently working as a care aide at an assisted living facility. It’s frustrating when the residents try to cram all their stuff into the tiny apartments. They can’t move around when they have to use a wheelchair, and when we have to call EMTs there’s no room for the gurney!
On the other hand, some of the residents have families that don’t care about them, and they sit in virtually empty apartments. No photos, no furniture beyond a bed and a nightstand, a few shabby clothes. :(
Great Wizard Nala about 8 years ago
When I cleaned out my mother’s house, I was surprised at how little people wanted. My cousin got all the Chinese Items and some family papers (per my mother’s wishes), her sister took a desk and some of the rest of the family papers, another wanted a picture and I took another picture (both drawn by my mother. The rest was either thrown out, sold or donated to charities. As her guardian, I had to take ALL the financial papers.
Artrina about 8 years ago
I’ve moved myself and cleaned out more than 1 relatives homes. Thank goodness for digital cameras! I love looking at pix of old homes that are on my computer. I’ve scanned pix and articles that my Mom saved and shared them with family. I scanned my Moms often used and much loved hand written recipe cards. I’ve shared the recipes with some people and I have the original cards in my safe.
susanherr about 8 years ago
trying to do it now, again…
Petemejia77 about 8 years ago
Just put them in a thumb dri….OH! Forgot. This is the 70s.
JennyJenkins about 8 years ago
I noticed, too, having helped some of my friends to clean out their parents’ houses after their parents went to assisted living or died, that it was easier to “toss” stuff away when the person who lived in that house isn’t there.
LuvThemPluggers about 8 years ago
Mom had so much and couldn’t bear to give it away because she rememered each one and who gave it to her. . After she passed, we took it to the senior center where they spread it all out on tables and let people have it. Especially the clothes shoes, etc. The ladies running the place sad the things were badly needed and much appreciated.