When we lose someone we love, having items to remember them by is such a gift. Far surpassing financial inheritance, heirlooms have a way of carrying relationships and stories on for generations. Keeping these treasures in our modern decor and culture can be challenging. I think the gift that heirlooms can be is worth exploring, though.
I probably have more items from my family at my age than most people. There are a couple of reasons for that. One is that many of my family members have passed away. It is a hard at times to have had so many losses already, but we are navigating it okay. The other main reason is that I am the oldest of my siblings. I have held on to more items than I probably would have otherwise because I think one day my siblings or their children may want something. That may not be true, but I don’t mind waiting to see for a bit. If I am going to have these things, though, I don’t want them boxed up for some special day that may never come. I have made some deliberate choices to enjoy them without cluttering my house.
Sometimes it means using things you may otherwise put away. Nearly every morning, I have breakfast with my dad’s coffee mugs and my grandmother’s dishes. They are not good china. Just stuff we used when I was a kid. Having lost my dad years ago now, it starts my day with fondness and warm memories. On a regular basis, I wear my great grandmother’s opal earrings or another grandmother’s costume jewelry.
Other times, it means requesting non-tranditional heirlooms from your relatives. Not everyone has resources or jewelry they will pass on. What about a favorite skillet or the apron your grandmother always wore? A quilt you snuggled in or favorite picture? Silverware or a cool fedora or suitcase? Heirlooms don’t have to be worth money to be precious. My parents were both artists, young and poor when they got married. One of the “art” pieces that was in our home for a long time was actually a page ripped from an old art book and framed. I didn’t know this until I had it reframed and matted for my girls room. It’s torn edges remind me of the beauty they wanted to add to this world, even if it wasn’t fancy. A cheap heirloom. I love it.
