Planning For The Inevitable
After my Father-in-law passed away, my Mother-in-law moved to an assisted living facility. She had lived in her 2 bedroom apartment for 39 years, after moving to Florida. She was not a collector, but my husband and his sister spent 2 days packing up what she wanted to take with her, and giving away the things for which there was no room in her new smaller 1 bedroom apartment. So many precious memories were just given away to thrift shops. If only we could get a do-over!
What would happen if your loved ones died suddenly?
What would happen with their “heirlooms?”
Would children feel the same way about the heirlooms as did their parents?
Do we save our “treasures” until we die, and then give them to our descendants? Or do we give them out now so we can watch and enjoy them being used in the homes of the next generation?
From my Mother-in-law’s “stash” we managed to save 3 items:
a wooden darner for darning socks
a wooden rolling pin
a wooden chopping bowl
The rest of the items sit in moving cartons in my sister-in-law’s garage. As of the writing of this blog, my Mother-in-law is 95, and thank G-d, in good health.
The simple items we remember from our parents’ homes become heirlooms and treasures, but usually only when we look back upon them, usually with nostalgia and fond memories. If we didn’t save enough of them, “there is no time like the present to create new precious heirlooms.”
Jewish Heirlooms is dedicated to creating the special memories for the future.
To remember those amazing meals shared together. To cherish the atmosphere created around the holidays, when unique items are displayed and used to enhance the holiday spirit. To memorialize those who have passed and keep their memories as a constant reminder of their special presence. To share emotional times in our lives and wrap up those feelings inside a set of Sabbath candlesticks, a Yahrzeit candle holder, a wine bottle accessory, a honey dish.
I cannot answer all the questions above for you, but I can share the answer for the last question:
Do we give them (Jewish Heirlooms) out now so we can watch and enjoy them being used in the homes of the next generation?
The answer is a resounding: GIVE THEM AWAY NOW! I cannot tell you how much joy we receive from watching our children and grandchildren using the heirlooms we gave them! A part of us is being shared in their lives. Our memories become their memories. The smells, the tastes, the feelings we had in our house, is now being celebrated in the houses of our descendants – that is a powerful concept. After we pass away, what a joy to know that there are a strong set of memories sitting in the homes of our children and grandchildren.
That’s my answer! Give them away now! Create new heirlooms and give them away now.
For a sampling of ideas see www.etsy.com/shop/jewishheirlooms
That is the most beautiful sentiment. I think is is amazing to see our children enjoying the different heirlooms we have given them. We have enjoyed them and now it’s their turn. You only live once and you can’t take it with you. (It also eliminates fighting later.)