by Linda Stewart, 28 April 2022
I believe family researchers are born with a love and connection to the past. We enjoy going back to the old homesteads and walking the land that our ancestors walked. Touching the things they may have touched. Carrying on the family traditions. But what do you do with all the material things that is left behind when they move to heaven?
Giving away the things that our loved one owned is one of the hardest things the family members will ever do. Touching a shirt will create an entangled emotional ball of happiness, love and grief. Grief counsels often suggest keeping a few keepsake items, then having an estate sale. People who attend estates sales will choose items that they will incorporate into their lives that they will love and cherish as much as your loved one did.
Several months after my husband died, my sister-in-law came over and helped me clean out his closet and chest-of-drawers. Actually she did most of the cleaning while I sat on the bed and cried. My husband enjoy wearing ties to church. The Lord told me to not give the ties away. I now realize why.
Our wonderful sweet cousin, Sandy Paschal, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois is a quilter. She posted on Facebook pictures of quilted Christmas ornaments she has made. I contacted her and asked if she could make ornaments out of my husband’s ties. She said she had never made ornaments out of ties before, but would certainly try. I think you will agree Sandy’s creations are beautiful, unique, and a priceless keepsake.
Now I must admit, I still have his deer mounts hanging on the wall, and his collection of saltwater fish pictures still dominate one room, but I’ve added crochet, lace, and flowers all over the house. After thirty-eight years of marriage, his things are also my things.
Once I am through with enjoying the material things on earth and move to heaven, then someone else will incorporate them into their lives and enjoy them as well.
Blessings to All.
https://www.facebook.com/sandy.paschal
Thank you for allowing me to make these for you it was a great pleasure to do them. I hope you enjoy them. Sandy