Selling stuff that belonged to my Grandparents

[Jahoolie]

<p>Our house is in escrow and we're getting ready to live in our van full time. Most of what we have is being sold. We do have a storage unit and I'm sure I'll be shaking my head in two years ... "why did I keep this?!" I feel like I've been very reasonable about the small amount of stuff we're not willing to sell (yet).<br /><br />One of my biggest struggles is what to do with the 25 volume 1878 Ninth Edition Encyclopaedia Britannica that my Grandparents bought for my Mom sixty years ago. He paid for them monthly, had them rebound at one point, and lovingly took care of them until they became mine about 30 years ago. The information is dated. I haven't cracked them open more than a few times.<br /><br />They don't have much $$$ value but they have huge sentimental value. My Mom says go ahead and sell them. Every time I open Craig's List, I end up closing the window before posting the sale.<br /><br />Ugh! This is really tugging at me.<br /><br />Please share your stories of stuff sold when your heart is hanging on!<br /><br />Thanks very much for your time, encouragement and wisdom.<br /><br />Julie<br /><br /></p>

 

[wildmountainhoney]

I can relate. That is where I am at present. I have been down sizing since early this year, trying to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. I am pretty much down to the things I can't part with.&nbsp; My mom's hutch, pictures, kid's artwork... etc. I am considering storage but really the cheapest I can find is 50 a month and that's a lot to pay for rent for material items when I can't really afford my own rent. I also have had to sell my deceased father's ring and some other family jewelry to afford to survive.&nbsp; I have my grandfather's pocket watch. How do I sell that?&nbsp; And, like Julie my Grandmother's and Mother's cookbook. Both of whom are deceased. I am finding it difficult to reconcile getting rid of them in any fashion. I keep telling myself, a hurricane, fire, flood etc... could take care of this problem for me on any given day... let it go... But, it sure is a hard pill to swallow... choke, choke, choke.. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br /><br />

 

[Seraphim]

I found one thing of my father's that had special memories, and kept that. Everything else..

 

[She]

I really envy you people. Not that I am crying my eyes out here cause I am not. I never lived with my family...long story. So I have nothing. I would love to have something. I was told I was adorable as a baby and I have no proof. LOL. If I did have something I would NOT be letting go of it. Just from another side of the question asked.&nbsp;

 

[psytechguy]

I've been slowly trying to unattach myself from "things." Seems the hardest are the ones that have an emotional attachment.

At some point all that stuff becomes a hindrance to life. I had to decide if I was going to make the most out of the years I have left, or spend them as a custodian of a warehouse full of stuff.

I inherited boxes and boxes of things from my mother that I've just carted around for years. Nothing I need, nothing I want, but it's a connection to her.

In the process of unloading all these things I've had to remind myself that all she ever wanted for me was to be happy, and if lightening my load ultimately brings me happiness, then I'm sure she would be all for it!

I'm sure your grandparents would feel the same way.

 

[twokniveskatie]

I have made strides in this area this summer. Some of you know that my brothers have a farm in Pa. that is my home base. I have half an old farmhouse that I can use to visit, live, store stuff, whatever. I have been grateful for that. What I have found, though, is that even having some sentimental stuff here has been a tie to the past, a hook that pulls me back even when yearning to be "out there".

My oldest son lost his teaching job this year. Very upsetting, of course. But then!! He got a new job in new jersey and is moving out of the little one room shoebox he has lived in for 12 years, including the last 2 years since graduation. A real apartment! I have moved a few of the antique pieces that i was saving for him and his brother, to his new digs. He is thrilled to have some of his grandparents stuff, and I feel lightened of some of those ties. Good all around.

(edited for relevance)

I am going to try to do what my friend Heidi did with her momentos. She took photos of all her kids school stuff and baby stuff and stores it on some thumb drives. After I do that, I can see about letting go of the stuff.

Sometimes, we find our families in the most unlikely places, She. This is no way makes up for the past, but you got us now....I hope to meet up with you at a gathering in the future.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Question yourself. When you are dead, will your relatives fight over who gets your things or will they fight over who has to sort them and call Goodwill?&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Either way, they are just things and you are still dead.<br />Good&nbsp;solution from <strong><span style="color: #800080;">Seraphim</span></strong>.<br /><strong><span style="color: #800080;">@She</span></strong>, I work with foster and adopted kids. This is a big problem with lots of them and they carry it into adulthood. Thank you for pointing out something&nbsp;I take for granted (family and family history). I had not considered your point of view.<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Dragonfly</span></strong><br /><br />

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Hugs to She and Katie!<br /><br />Katie, like your picture taking idea.<br /><br /> I would ideally like to make scrapbooks for my 3 grand kids of their parents artwork n pics, at least my faves. I think they would enjoy that. I have given much to my kids already. I feel tho as if I am burdening them with stuff too...<br /><br />

 

[twokniveskatie]

Very good point. My kids are not sentimental about stuff, possessions. I have tried to make it a point to not transfer my attachment to some things over to them. Gave them opportunities, then let it go. Except for the antiques. Those they can sell if they want, or keep. I'm doing a small album for each kid (that includes bios, steps and a foster) and then doing thumb drives for everybody.

 

[sidat202]

I think the picture idea is good. Then right something with it that you remember about it.<br />In the end..tho, That stuff is just stuff. You can get rid of the stuff, but you will always have the memories.<br />When my father passed recently, I didn't keep anything, but I will always have the memories.

 

[sparky1]

many small towns have history Musems(sp)--where i'm from, has lots of My Granny's things,I still have her Flip Top Desk from the 1800's,&nbsp;&amp; my Dad's leather top desk.I have a Book Of the "Early Family",I own the Family Plot too. soon&nbsp;I think&nbsp;I will part with them,i'm pushing 70.no remaining family,they are dust catchers,no one knows the memories&nbsp;I have with them.Historical societies are always looking for things,DON"T throw these items away.<br />my 2 cents.<br />sparky1 in southern,Va.<br />.....................................<br />WOW just checked my Horiscope---<br />.<br />try to let go of anything that has outlived its usefulness. Life can get a lot better!

 

[stude53]

Sparky, did you really mean ..."I own the Family Plot too. soon I think I will part with them".? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Bob

 

[sparky1]

whoops-<br />-when I'm gone NO ONE will own the "Early Family Plot"."from the civil war."<br />have my Head stone allready there.1/2 filled out/&nbsp;next to MY Dad.<br />Not getting rid of it yet-.going by there tomorrow---see if i'm dead yet..<br />&nbsp; just time to lighten up the weight of things, No one will know what to do with them.<br />thanks for letting me correct the wording.<br />sparky1 in S.Va.

 

[yesican]

Sparky's idea is a great one. Donate it to a history museum of the town you, your mom, or your grandma lived in. It's a part of history and you can share it with everyone and even get to look at it when you go back home!
Rae

 

[Mortisha]

Same thing with me and my grandmother's stuff.... this is going to sound harsh but dump it!!! My sister is a hoarder... like the ones you see on tv and I think it has made me so sick of stuff that I can't keep hardly anything. This is what I tell her.... if it means a lot to you then start a photo album and take a pic of the item as it is heading out of the house. Then you still have the pic and not the clutter. She started to do this but her house never changed at all. Still a mess! But that is what I would do.. keep a photo of the things that have meaning and get rid of the stuff. Sorry so harsh..... HuggZ

 

[wildmountainhoney]

You are right. I am working on emptying the hutch for the sale and taking pics both for me and potential buyers. Not sure about the cookbooks. It depends on what I decide to do. I spoke to daughter's f-in law, here on in referred to as Big G. He was very kind and welcoming. I can even keep my cat. I would probably be a fool to not take his offer. It would give me time to save and get what I want to live in, and hopefully get approved for my disability. I would have time to scan all pics and recipes. Then could have virtual cook books and photo albums and the recipes would still be in their hand writing if scanned.&nbsp; Then let the kids fight over them I guess... Hope everyone else comes up w/solutions that work for them and give them peace... it's quite a process, huh?

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Been working all morning, feeling overwhelmed...ahhhhhhhhhhhh<br /><br />will be grateful when this part is behind me and hoping this stuff sells.

 

[Mortisha]

Good Luck on your sale! HuggZ

 

[kappydell]

my husband told me before he died that it was OK to sell his stuff, and that even if i did not get a lot for it (streetcar memorabilia) it was OK because the purchaser would value it more than a museum, to whom it would just be another exhibit. I am grateful to him for that outlook. I am now clearing out the house we lived in the 16 yrs before his death, and yes, the memories are sometimes heart wrenching, sometimes heart-warming. I am fortunate that he collected things that others also collect, so they will auction well as I sort them out. Meanwhile, WOW I am paying for quite a bit of storage.

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Kappy, thanks for sharing. That was a wonderful gift he gave you and you in turn gave to "us". I wish you the best! Good luck with your sale. And, I am sorry for your loss.<br /><br /><br />p.s. yes there are sweet memories to smile about in the midst of it all! Thanks for the reminder, I personally needed it!