My home is a veritable museum to the things my grandparents Dickinson had; their art, their vase, their rocking chair, their piano music, and so on. When my mother turned over some of the stuff she warned me not to have a yardsale because some of the things might be valuable but she missed the point entirely.
When I was a 17 year old “runaway” I put some of my dearest possessions in an oldtime suitcase (from before the era of rolling wheels) and carried it everywhere I went, from Detroit to Toronto to Montreal. One of the young men I hitchhiked with complained bitterly about what a burden the suitcase was but I wouldn’t hear of ditching it.
I feel compelled to comment on "stuff". My grandpa built his home in 1928. My dad was born and raised there, the only home he ever knew until he bought his own. I was raised across the street from it and since Grandpa retired when I was three I spent my life there hanging out with Grandpa until I discovered girls (which of course now I regret not still being with him). When Grandpa died Dad inherited the house and was going to sell it to the business next door so that they could tear it down to expand. My wife and I would have none of that so we bought it, remodeled it and have been here for twenty-five years this Christmas. We're going to die in this house! We are "collectors", not hoarders, we like to collect things that remind us of our family, friends and especially of our past. It's so comforting to come home from work and relax amid our past. We found so many keepsakes that others would've thrown away like a board that Grandpa wrote Leo and Loyal Sersig (Grandpa and Dad's names) November 21, 1954 on. The significance we'll never know but that board hangs over my workbench to this day. Or there's the sign that says "Sersig Kennels" we found from when Grandpa raised Boston Terriers. We even found an old bottle of "Hooch" marked 1965 from when he ran a still. These are our history and my comfort! One thing about our home, it's still Grandpa's home not ours, we just look after it for him. Keep up the great columns!
I know that these days, at 70+, I'm supposed to rid myself of stuff so my kids won't have to do it when I die...but you know what? They can just deal with it! Like I dealt with all their stuff, often all over the floor, for years & years (raise your hand if you've ever stepped barefoot on a Lego in the dark!) Meanwhile, I'm keeping my "stuff", which was once my parents' stuff and my grandparents' stuff and random antique stuff collected over the years. Thanks for a good stuff-affirming newsletter!
I am quite old now and very slowly getting rid of stuff. I used to love vintage things but now I crave serenity. Partly this is to save my kids from having to deal with it all. I used to see potential in so many things but now I can accept I'll never get around to realizing that potential in much of what I've accumulated.
I love this article. It makes me think of the books I grew up with that I keep within reach, including a copy of a book which made me want to be a ballerina, "To Dance To Dream"and several Lee Wyndham books. Also a wonderful old copy of a book of Christmas stories from the 40's that belonged to my mom, Betsy Tacy books and my favorite noir book, 'The Sign of the Ram". They all take me back to days where I wasn't "butterball" or "weeping willow" or bullied, but where I knew I had value. I hope you never have to let go of any of these touchstones of your life.
I love your videos on building your sound studio and introducing us to some of the treasures in your home! I wish I were your next door neighbor... we would have so much fun!
I am the Mom of an only child son who doesn't have a sentimental bone in his body. I'm not that old but lately I have been looking at my things through his eyes. so bit, by bit it is going to someone that would love it or Goodwill. someday I will pass and I can hear his voice saying "holy crap, Mom, why did you keep that?"
Thanks for inviting me to subscribe to your extra podcast. However, I would prefer to continue with what I am receiving now. I always enjoy everything you write. But like your podcast on « stuff, » I need not one more thing in my life. I look forward to your advice column tomorrow morning!
Amy your house is beautiful! I love old wood and things that mean something!
Emily I support your resistance. I love how the ads try to make you feel that if you only had their cool system, everything in your life would fall in place!
My home is a veritable museum to the things my grandparents Dickinson had; their art, their vase, their rocking chair, their piano music, and so on. When my mother turned over some of the stuff she warned me not to have a yardsale because some of the things might be valuable but she missed the point entirely.
When I was a 17 year old “runaway” I put some of my dearest possessions in an oldtime suitcase (from before the era of rolling wheels) and carried it everywhere I went, from Detroit to Toronto to Montreal. One of the young men I hitchhiked with complained bitterly about what a burden the suitcase was but I wouldn’t hear of ditching it.
I feel compelled to comment on "stuff". My grandpa built his home in 1928. My dad was born and raised there, the only home he ever knew until he bought his own. I was raised across the street from it and since Grandpa retired when I was three I spent my life there hanging out with Grandpa until I discovered girls (which of course now I regret not still being with him). When Grandpa died Dad inherited the house and was going to sell it to the business next door so that they could tear it down to expand. My wife and I would have none of that so we bought it, remodeled it and have been here for twenty-five years this Christmas. We're going to die in this house! We are "collectors", not hoarders, we like to collect things that remind us of our family, friends and especially of our past. It's so comforting to come home from work and relax amid our past. We found so many keepsakes that others would've thrown away like a board that Grandpa wrote Leo and Loyal Sersig (Grandpa and Dad's names) November 21, 1954 on. The significance we'll never know but that board hangs over my workbench to this day. Or there's the sign that says "Sersig Kennels" we found from when Grandpa raised Boston Terriers. We even found an old bottle of "Hooch" marked 1965 from when he ran a still. These are our history and my comfort! One thing about our home, it's still Grandpa's home not ours, we just look after it for him. Keep up the great columns!
I know that these days, at 70+, I'm supposed to rid myself of stuff so my kids won't have to do it when I die...but you know what? They can just deal with it! Like I dealt with all their stuff, often all over the floor, for years & years (raise your hand if you've ever stepped barefoot on a Lego in the dark!) Meanwhile, I'm keeping my "stuff", which was once my parents' stuff and my grandparents' stuff and random antique stuff collected over the years. Thanks for a good stuff-affirming newsletter!
Love ❤️ the rainbow staircase!!
I am quite old now and very slowly getting rid of stuff. I used to love vintage things but now I crave serenity. Partly this is to save my kids from having to deal with it all. I used to see potential in so many things but now I can accept I'll never get around to realizing that potential in much of what I've accumulated.
I love this article. It makes me think of the books I grew up with that I keep within reach, including a copy of a book which made me want to be a ballerina, "To Dance To Dream"and several Lee Wyndham books. Also a wonderful old copy of a book of Christmas stories from the 40's that belonged to my mom, Betsy Tacy books and my favorite noir book, 'The Sign of the Ram". They all take me back to days where I wasn't "butterball" or "weeping willow" or bullied, but where I knew I had value. I hope you never have to let go of any of these touchstones of your life.
I love your videos on building your sound studio and introducing us to some of the treasures in your home! I wish I were your next door neighbor... we would have so much fun!
I too love my stuff! I'm looking around my living room and feel the history of my family from the objects and artwork that surrounds me.
I am the Mom of an only child son who doesn't have a sentimental bone in his body. I'm not that old but lately I have been looking at my things through his eyes. so bit, by bit it is going to someone that would love it or Goodwill. someday I will pass and I can hear his voice saying "holy crap, Mom, why did you keep that?"
Thanks for inviting me to subscribe to your extra podcast. However, I would prefer to continue with what I am receiving now. I always enjoy everything you write. But like your podcast on « stuff, » I need not one more thing in my life. I look forward to your advice column tomorrow morning!
Amy your house is beautiful! I love old wood and things that mean something!
Emily I support your resistance. I love how the ads try to make you feel that if you only had their cool system, everything in your life would fall in place!
Oh, stuff, with all of the memories attached!💕