My mom has come to learn over the years that if there is anything in our family {that of course my other siblings don’t want} that has meaning and is fun looking..I want it! Now don’t you all start thinking that I am grubby with taking everything, but when my mom does give me something, I cannot wait to find a space for it in our home. Newest addition to our home..tin photos of my GMA and great grandma.
We had friends over the other night that loved our new addition, but thought that we had simply purchased them at an Estate sale, or thrift store. When I was able to tell them that it was my actual family, I felt this sense of gratitude. Grateful that my GMA and great grandma have a place in our home, grateful that my mom not only kept these all these years, but that she now gave them to me.
Here is my GMA {top} and great grandma {bottom}:
So, do you agree with me that vintage items that actually come from your family mean worlds more? Or am I just a sap about these things?!
<3,
I completely agree with you! It means so much more. I went home this last weekend and since my hubs and I just purchased our new house, my mom is so excited to hand some… actually, I should say MANY things down to me. From silly seasonal items (because she has SO many) to very important family items. There are two items I can’t wait to use. One is this teapot and matching cups that my grandmother got when she was living in Japan. It’s very pretty and something I really can’t wait to drink hot tea out of. Another is a music box my grandfather purchased for my mom the year before I was born. It means the world to her and I know she will love seeing it at our place.
I agree 100%. If there’s something my family wants to give me, or something I would love to use and they no longer have a use for, I’ll MAKE it work in my space. Maybe it’s because I’m named after my Great Great Grandmother, who came to America with little besides dreams for something greater, but I’m much more into family pieces than my siblings. The items are a part of history; a part of who I am. How can I say no to that?
Completely agreed. Since my mom has discovered this I think the holidays have gotten easier. I have a feeling she wanders around the house and just looks for something to re-gift…which I could not be happier with! xoxo
Using the things left me I have covered nearly half a hallway wall with photos as well as shadow boxes of jewelry and clothing (like my great-great Grandmother’s faded ankle-length apron) that I could match to photos. I used the hallway wall because the space is confined and somewhat private, and when you walk you can look at the images closely as well as chronologically, giving it the rather respectful feel of an installation. The bits of clothing, fabric and jewelry (or toys, too) bring the people in the images– with those items– into the present. It feels comforting to me. Like these people are all here with me and other family members can see how the relatives were linked together, how they “were”, even ones they didn’t have the opportunity to know in life. finally, it gives me a way to sift through a box I might find and look back to the wall ‘puzzle’ to see to whom it may have belonged, or why it was important– why it was kept in the first place– and find a place for it in that family “puzzle”…
What great additions to your collection! New follower here too 🙂
I agree with you . . . but that doesn’t mean you are not a sap also!:-)
I totally agree with you!! Especially old photographs. I feel kind of sad when I see them in antique stores thinking, surely some distant relative is missing these!!!
Definitely agree. You are lucky you have vintage items from family…most of us have to buy the same items!