I am a pretty sentimental person. I love birthdays and celebrating people on those days. I love finding “that perfect” gift for someone at Christmastime to the point that it’s stressful — but I love it. Bottomline, if there is any amount of sentiment in it, I’m there.
On the flipside of that, I, personally, am not super materialistic. I like pretty things and I could window shop all day long, but things don’t make me happy. People and memories are infinitely more important to me than anything money could buy.
However, I do love sentimental items that have been passed down generationally. There is something so special about looking at an old piece of furniture or a trinket that belonged to a loved one who has since passed.
While I was pregnant, I frantically looked everywhere for a suitable dresser for Mason’s room. I didn’t want to spend a fortune on cheaply made furniture, but I didn’t really have the time to refurb anything in rough shape, either. My dad stepped in and offered to refurbish my great-grandmother’s old dresser and I accepted. It meant so much to me that he would offer to do that (not that it’s out of character — he has made things for all of us since forever) and I loved the idea of having a family piece in our home.
He recently finished and I absolutely love it. I love the dresser itself, but even more so I love the time that he took to make sure it was perfect. I love that he wanted to hand down something that meant so much to him from a person who he grew up admiring.
Mason’s nursery is full of special items that my dad either built, refurbished, or touched up. Those heirlooms are why I love that room in particular so much. It’s more than just material objects; it’s the love that came out from them. I hope one day I will be able to pass on those items to my boys. I hope that they will appreciate the thought and meaning of those pieces and that they will cherish them as much as I do.
Is there anything that has been passed on to you that you love? What’s the story? I’d love to hear about your treasures!
Memoirs of a Stay at Home Mom 