Family Treasures
Posted by Andrea
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:34)
My grandfather has just sold his home. He is 84 years old and caring for a single family home had become too large a task for him. My grandfather is now in the process of deciding what to take to his new apartment and what to leave behind or give away. His house is full of so many fond memories that downsizing has become an emotional experience him and us too.
Now whenever I visit, Granddad always has something “new” to show me. Many times the items he shares with me are quite old, but they’re new to me because I’ve never seen them before. My grandfather’s mother, Bessie, lived with him for many years and a great deal of her personal belongings yet remain in the house.
On a recent visit, Granddad and I opened Grandma Bessie’s old trunk and I found a true treasure trove! Among many other things tucked away in the trunk were Granddad’s baby shoes and his infant gown, a worn and well marked Bible, newspaper clippings, photographs, and letters. I especially loved that Granddad had a story for every treasure in the trunk!
Though there was so much to savor in that old trunk, my favorite finds were the letters. Those neatly folded letters were a joy to read and gave a magnificent glimpse into the past. Grandma Bessie had saved many of the letters she had received and must have also taken back some of the letters she had written to store away. Loving letters written to my grandfather while he was away in the service during World War II, funny and poignant letters to and from her siblings living far away, and heartfelt letters of sympathy written to her when she had lost a loved one. Granddad and I even found a letter I had written to Grandma Bessie when I was 8 years old!
That day I left Granddad’s house feeling full. My hands carried some of the treasures he had passed on to me: his mother’s hand mirror and one of her old jewelry boxes containing a face powder tin, a floral brooch, and a small hair comb. Granddad also insisted I take the letter I had written to Grandma Bessie when I was just a child.
As I climbed behind the wheel of our van and prepared to drive back home, my mind was full of the house’s memories and my heart was packed with gratitude and overflowing with pride and thankfulness. I’ll have much to share with Sweet Pea and Sugar Plum when they’re older! What a memorable day!
