As I have mentioned, my mom’s house is a split level where you walk in the front door and go up to the kitchen, living room and bedrooms (which has been completely renovated)……
or go down to a scary, dark, musty space consisting of a family room, small office/bedroom, laundry room and unfinished storage space.
The lower level was stuck in 1973, and was filled with not only my mom’s stored items but some of her grown children’s furniture and belongings. Before we could rip up the carpet, paint and beautify the space, we had to sort through and reduce the content down there.
The time had come to divide and conquer. I marked boxes for each member of our family, along with huge bins for recycling and donating, and purged, purged, purged.
I was relentless. I’d say I recycled about 90% of the school papers Mom had saved for each of us. This experience really made me rethink what I save of my kid’s schoolwork – the topic of a post for another day!
Betwixt and between all the purging, there were absolute gems to be found. Next thing you know, the recycling would come to a screeching halt and Mom and I would spend an hour looking through a forgotten pile of photos or old letters. However, it was clear that the term “treasure” is oh-so subjective.
For example — what might this be, that Mom has saved for decades?????
This I can see saving:
Here are a few of my “treasures” from Mom’s this month:
Mom’s bank book when she first came to Boston from Ireland. Notice the first entry: $10 – all she brought with her from home besides her little suitcase of clothes!
My parents’ wedding invitation. I have never seen it before and am overjoyed with this discovery!!
Wedding cards and telegrams from Ireland, and ten months later, congratulations on the arrival of the first baby!
Then I hit the motherload and found a stack of letters from Dad to Mom when she went home to Ireland for a couple of months when they were dating. I spent hours, hours, pouring over them! While I didn’t steal the letters, I may or may not have taken home a few (dozen) photos. How could I resist??? They were so stinkin cute, my Mom & Dad. I love my dad’s wavy hair, light blue eyes and crooked smile. I love my mom’s Jackie O hairstyle, lovely figure and huge, pretty smile lighting up her face in every picture with Dad.
Despite the paint in my hair and all over my hands, the cobwebs and the grime and the sore back, I have so enjoyed this past month with my mom, working on her house together and uncovering these treasures.
Do you have any special “treasures” from your family? Tell me about them – I’d love to hear!!
pam {simple details} says
Absolutely priceless, Lisa! What a wonderful diversion spent with your mom, the photos of her and your dad are beautiful! Loved the clay 'thing!'
Kim@Chattafabulous says
What wonderful keepsakes for your and future generations. Your Mom definitely had it goin' on! Looking foward to your "afters", Lisa!
http://www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com
Maury Kilgo says
This is amazing. How incredibly special! You should do a shadow box or some kind of display of all those cards and the wedding invitation!
Mandi@TidbitsfromtheTremaynes says
Lisa? Lisa. I love your posts! I really do.
I know I always say that but I read every word and I go,
"right on, sista!"
Okay, so I love that you found these old treasures. So awesome!
And I love that you're making another post about what to keep for the kids. I'm a picture freak, but I throw away my kids school stuff.
I know. I'm bad.
Lemme 'splain: my mom kept folders of stuff for us she neatly tucked away for us to have as adults. Honestly, it just doesn't really hold a lot of value right now. Maybe it will when I'm 80, but it's the pictures I love.
Val says
Wow, Lisa. I have tears in my eyes. In a beautiful way. Everything is so touching….your moms checkbook, the shoes, cards. I'd frame the wedding invite. Thanks for sharing your treasures.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
how fun and how sweet- love the caterpillar art the most. 🙂 and the clay pot- my mom and dad have a couple "pinch pots" i made when i took a pottery camp. 😉
Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com says
So many priceless memories Lisa! I love the old letters. My husband has a bunch of letters that his dad wrote to his mom. His dad has passed away and the letters are such a neat glimpse into his life and into another era. BTW, your mom was so beautiful! I love the dresses and bouffant hairstyles of the 60's.
Dana Frieling@ Make Them Wonder says
How fortunate you are to have had your mom right there as you mulled through belongings…living history! What a special memory you'll be able to tuck away, Lisa.
Jenny says
Treasures indeed! I know exactly what you mean about recycling old stuff (I get big boxes o'crap every now and then that my mom has saved), but the treasures are sometimes found too! My mom had a missal like that too, along with old pins, wedding stuff and old photos of my parents, grandparents and great grandparents! Framed up and part of my gallery wall now. 🙂
Lane says
How wonderful to find all these treasures! These will be keepsakes for your family for generations to come. Thank goodness your mother saved it all.
Jean @ Flower Hill says
What an amazing treasure! Love the photos of your Mom and Dad! I see a resemblance to you in your mother's face. That bank book is such a treasure. It's a little piece of history! Thanks for sharing your family memories!
Lisa - A Room with A View says
A lot of nostalgia and family heirlooms to indulge in – those are priceless. Enjoy them all, Lisa, and I am sure your mum will, too. Looks like you have been so very busy!
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
So amazing that you found their wedding invitation and LETTERS! Those are so priceless!
www.thisoldhouseinnewliberty.blogspot.com says
Your treasures you found are precious memories. How wonderful that you could go help your mom! Nancy