Keepsake conundrum

What should you do with unutilized family history stuff in your home when you know nobody else in the family wants any of it, but you still hold an emotional attachment to the items and would feel guilty getting rid of it?

Tough one. Well it is for me.

One thing I do have a solution in mind for is my Grandma Lyle’s wedding dress from 1914.

Presently, I have it hanging on a mannequin but that’s really no way to preserve it. So, I’ve decided I’m going to put it in a frame, under glass, possibly pressed, full length, and add in some pictures of Grandma with Grandpa and hang it on the wall.

And maybe that’ll make it appealing and useful enough for the “kids” to hang on to after I croak. It’s just too precious to part with.

A more challenging decision is what to do with the cups and dishes Mom had in her china cabinet. I still have both the cabinet and contents, just as she displayed them.

Included in the collection is our old silver tea set which I just noticed has my Grandma’s initials, MML (Mary McLure Lyle), engraved on the teapot and sugar and cream holders. I guess I knew that at some point, but forgot. And they need polishing, which I did occasionally when I was a kid. However, I’m not much of a tea drinker. I wonder if Grandma would be ticked if I put keys or something in them. At least they’d be used.

And there are a few bins preserving other stuff — linens, some clothing, Dad’s socks — lots of “things” I don’t have a use for, but it just seems wrong to let them go. They do have a use in a way — they trigger good memories, and they were worn and used by those no longer with us, so just touching and handling them seems like a bit of a reconnection.

Sentimental aren’t I? Just as so many of you are. It’s not easy parting with some of this stuff.

Funny, I just realized I’ve got older stuff in their stuff they passed along because they felt too guilt ridden to part with it, and didn’t know what to do with it. Sheesh.

I even have Dad’s old hearing aids, that probably need new batteries by now. Maybe I should hold on to them in case I need them some day. Then again, they’re big and clunky, perched up there on top of your ears. He always had them turned down because they made everything “too loud.”

“Dad, turn up your hearing aid!” Remember that? Drove us nuts.

Wearing a COVID mask with those things would have driven Dad completely crazy. There would have been many a “Gad!” Still, having them triggered these very fond memories, so I suppose I should keep them.

I do have a lot of family memorabilia, even from extended family.

As a matter of fact, it just occurred to me I still have the styrofoam cups and butter tart packaging from a trip to Killarney my brother Bob and I took in the fall of 2003 to attend a family funeral. Bob died of a heart attack in spring of 2004, but he was just fine when we got back from the trip, so why did I hold on to them? Bob would have chucked them in a Teulon second.

We bought those coffees and tarts at a store in Somerset.

I’ve got so many little keepsakes like that. Tucked everywhere.

So, you know what I’ve learned from writing this column today? I’ve got a serious attachment problem and need professional help, stat! Is there a free clinic hereabouts? I’m too cheap to pay.

Pardon? You thought I’d be able to help you with your stuff? Forget it. Good luck.

Comments and column ideas welcome.

lmustard1948@gmail.com