Jewells of Thought

Have you ever thought about losing or having to sell your house? Or maybe a relative’s house?

Do you get emotional thinking about the history and memories made in your home? I admit I do. Grandpa’s death when I was a teenager gave me a whole new perspective on life and memories and knowledge of family stories and such.

Losing both of my Grandfathers I cling to the memories I have with each of them. Photos show me I had moments with all 4 of my grandparents at both of their houses. Not all grandchildren get memories or even photo evidence of such family inclusion. I had a special upbringing. I know some young families that don’t talk to their parents so their child or children don’t have relationships with their grandparents. I can’t understand that mindset.

So when we started our Estate Sale all my emotions were overwhelming. I have nearly 4 decades of emotions and memories stored in my mind of nearly every square inch of that house. I understand change, but I am also a historian and I have a need to curate-remember what was as it becomes what it will be.

There was a moment in time during the first 3 days of our sale that took me back to Christmas 2005. I stood at the back door in the hallway where Grandpa Leo’s closet is by the door to the basement. That particular Christmas was hard Grandpa Leo had already been gone several years, now Grandpa Freddy was gone. I remember sobbing that Christmas morning looking out the back door into the breezeway into the garage that Grandpa Freddy helped build.

This left picture was the old garage.

Watching my Dad, Grandpa Freddy, Uncle Mike and Uncle Tony work on Grandma Betty’s new addition was such a process. I enjoyed watching both sides of my family come together so she could have this updated and more easily accessible garage and breezeway to walk into the house without worrying about the weather.

Uncle Melvin is even in these photos. This house holds 4 generations and counting of our family and our conversations, thoughts, dinners and don’t forget with 5 daughters there was hardly ever a loss for words in this house.

How do I just turn off my emotions and the thousands of memories as a historian and a granddaughter with our family history?