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The Yard Sale
By Barbara Tortorella |
One early Sunday morning I passed the remains of a yard
sale. There was the perfect sign, “FREE.” We really never
know what we might find and be able to use there.
Although I am not the collector of other people’s treasures,
who could pass up that sign FREE. There was another woman
there who told me that many of the items came from a woman’s
home who had recently passed away.
I found a crocheted blanket that was in perfect condition
and a ceramic dip dish that was also hand made. There was a
note on the back of that dish which read “To Lucille, thanks
for all your support and help. God Bless you, Mamie.” I was
bothered by that blanket and dip dish. Those items meant
something to someone and now they sat on the ground. When a
loved one dies, it isn’t possible to keep all of their
“treasures.” Mrs. Chico from Hoboken always said to me and
her granddaughter Fran, “there is no room for memories.”
When it comes to breaking up our parents home that saying
certainly holds true. It’s a painstaking chore trying to
decide what to keep, give away or throw away from our
parent’s treasures. Siblings also get into arguments and may
have hard feelings over who gets what.
My mother has already taken care of her treasures. She has
given away some of her treasures to her children and
grandchildren. She feels that we should enjoy them while she
is alive She has placed labels with her children’s and
grandchildren’s names underneath various pieces of furniture
in her home. She is wise.
Although my brother Charles said if my mom dies first, he is
running over to my parent’s home and placing a label on my
father’s forehead with my brother Frank’s name on it.
Use your treasures while you are alive. Don’t worry if they
break or get chipped in the process. At least they may not
end up laying on the ground at a yard sale being picked over
by strangers. |
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Barbara Tortorella is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with
C.A.R.E., LLC and a motivational speaker. You may call
Barbara at (781) 659-1393 or email her at
MSHoboken@aol.com.
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