Thursday, April 3, 2008

Things I can't give up

This morning it occurred to me that I'd be wise to start sorting through the stuff upstairs before we move.  The upstairs has become a catch-all for whatever I'm not sure about throwing away; we won't have that much dead space in the new house, and it's time to toss some things. 

I was doing great with my sorting, for about five minutes.

Then I saw the rocking horse.  It's very cheap, made of hard plastic; but every one of my grandchildren has rocked on it, plus some kids I babysat.  It won't take up too much room.  I'm keeping it.  I may live to see some great-grandchildren enjoy it as much as the grands did.  It's been here twenty-two years, after all.

The baby crib:  There's a Skelly Pegasus decal that Cliff put there as a young teen when his baby sister slept there.  There are chew-marks on the rail that my son put there with his first teeth, standing up in bed.  This is a hard decision, and I don't know yet what I'll do.  It's like asking a toddler to give up her blankie.  But it does take up considerable room.

I'll be able to toss the heart pillow that Cliff had to clutch in the hospital after surgery, every time he coughed.  The signatures are almost unreadable anyhow.

The painting was leaning against a wall in the junk room, facing away.  When I turned it around, I didn't even remember it.  OK, that can go, I told myself.  Until I looked at the signature of the artist:  "Dona Lee, '86".

Oh my word!  That's my friend who had a stroke ten years ago and is now in a nursing home.  Not only that, but her home burned down several years ago, and there aren't that many of her keepsakes left.  

I intend to use the smallest of the three bedrooms in the mobile home as a computer room, and that's where I'll keep some mementos such as these.   If there's room for the crib there, it'll stay.  If not, it has to go... somewhere. 

Sigh.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a beautifil painting. That is a keeper since your long time friend painted it. I agree with what you are keeping and what you are tossing so far. LOL. Helen

Anonymous said...

What a dilema, I went through a move two years ago, what about a yard sale?  Vicki

Anonymous said...

I have a house full of things I think I need to keep so I can relate to your having a hard time deciding what to keep and where.  When we moved to this place I had to let go of treasures like your rocking horse because there was just no room here for them.  Someone else picked them up off the curb and got some use out of them though.  Someday I'll need to downsize again and even though there is alot still here, it will be just as hard letting them go. 'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Oh you have to keep the painting for sure!  It's beautiful!  Good luck with going through your stuff.  I remember that time!  Oh I hated going through stuff and getting rid of it.  But we were moving from a small house to a huge house so we didn't really need to throw things out but I just wanted things we never used gone.  Why store them if your never going to used them??  Maybe ask your kids if they would like the crib if you can't part with it...let them store it lol.  Or what I did was take pictures of everything I kind of wanted to keep and put them in an album and wrote up a story on it.  It will be so fun for the kids to read after were gone.  they don't even know I have it but they will run into it after my passing.  

Anonymous said...

I see cribs like that in hooty tooty botiques.  They make them look all shabby chic and use them as displays.  You might be surprised about someone wanting it.

Anonymous said...

I know it's tough getting rid of sentimental things like that. I still have my son's stroller. He says he remembers riding in it and loved it and he hated when he got too big for it LOL! The crib did go years ago, though.
That little horsey is cute. Good luck in your sorting.
Pam

Anonymous said...

Having been away from J-Land since mid Feb...I'm at a loss to all the happenings. I take it you're moving??? Where to?
Hugs,
Sug

Anonymous said...

This  may change your mind about the crib....  http://babyproducts.about.com/od/recallsandsafety/a/antiquecribs.htm

Current standards are much different that when your crib was manufactured, the main thing being that slats are to be no more than 2-3/8" apart.  Also, lead paint was an issue back then.

Anonymous said...

The painting is WONDERFUL.  It would definately go in my computer room.    You know you only go through this life once (thankfully) so might as well keep only what makes you happy.

Anonymous said...

I definitely wouldn't get rid of that painting... and the crib....wow!  That holds so many memories!  I don't envy you the task of having to figure out what stays and what goes..

Hugs
Jackie

Anonymous said...

It has been 5 years next month since my Triple by pass
but I am keeping My Heart Pillow.  
I attached different color Heart Shape Rhinestone pins all over it (from ebay).
It sparkles.
I didn't use it much so it's still like new.
The kids can toss it when I have gone on to Heaven.
The horse it darling.
I can understand why you would not part with that and it would even look great at your Cabin.
You could set it on your porch and look at it
while you read your books or listen to music beside those lovely
campfires you make.
Karla~WA



Anonymous said...

The pictures is beautiful!  Hang it up and enjoy it with pride!  Linda

Anonymous said...

Oh it is so tough to let things go or to find new spots.  I know you though Donna, you'll get there.  

Anonymous said...

Sorting things to move is rather bittersweet, isn't it?

xoxo