YOUR OLDEST POSSESSION

I will start this off by saying my oldest possession is a snow sled that was built by my grandfather in 1920 for my mother, which makes it 89 years old. First my mother used it, then my brother and I used it in the 1940s. My mother kept it until she died in 1997 and she rode it every year at least once until 1996. It now is in my possession, but I don't get to ride on it because we seldom have enough snow.

The next oldest thing I own is a winter jacket that I bought in 1958, making it 51 years old. And....it still is my favorite and is in good condition. My first girlfriend helped me pick it out when I bought it.

Oh wow! I can't believe you still have and wear a winter jacket that you bought in 1958! As it's only two years younger than me, I guess I'm still useful too!

I'm not sure how old your Mom was when she passed away but she had to be at least 77 if your grandfather made the sled for her. Good for her for getting on the sled every year! These are the types of things I treasure most. I hope you have someone in mind to pass the sled down to who will appreciate the value of it.

For myself, I'm in the process of clearing many of the objects from my past life from the house. My daughter has been helping me when she gets home on the weekends and we have a room 30 x 17, so full that we've had to extend to another room to fit it all! (it was all packed away neatly in the basement and the attic until we started to sort it)

It takes me so long to go through all this stuff because EVERYTHING evokes a memory and has a happy story attached to it. I've resolved to be strong and to let most of it go in a yardsale but there are some things I simply cannot part with. I'll go into more detail soon, right now I'm off to work!

Have a fantastic day Stephen.

Hugs,

Dawn

Thanks for your note Dawn. Yea my Mom was 81 when she died in 1997.

It sounds like a lot of work you are doing to sort through old belongings. I have done that several times and it can be both sad and happy. It's often hard to decide what to toss or keep.

It is always hard for me because each time I get rid of some memory of my son that died in 1990 at age 18. It also is hard now because I am separated from my ex and seldom see my daughter. So living alone in an apartment -- I don't have much room for keepsakes. I guess it's good I have lots of photos for memories.

Take care dear,

Steve

I"m so sorry to hear about your son. My son died July 4th, 1981 without ever having had a chance to come home from the hospital. The only reminder I have of him is a hospital bracelett and, although I don't need that to remember Andrew, I will never discard it.

Photos are wonderful. I've taken photos at every opportunity! I have around 18,000 digital photos alone, not to mention the hundreds I took and printed before I had my first digital camera.