Don’t Let This Happen to You . . .

The other day this ad appeared in our local Daily Press on 4/1/2018 titled:  “PLEA”

The photo is blurry and hard to make out what it is exactly. It appears to be a porcelain statue of some kind, depicting 4 people; 2 on the side of an opening and a couple sitting down, holding hands? The plea reads:

“If you purchased this item at the Estate Sale held on Monday, March 24, 2018, at 297 Maiden Lane, Newport News, Virginia, please call Florence Bernstein at (804) 288-9405. Urgent. The item was erroneously included in the sale. It is a deeply sentimental piece passed down from my Mother. Reward. Thank you.”

How sad is this! Pretty sad if there is a reward being offered.

 

Why are people so anxious to part with their things? Here is a perfect example of why I advise my readers to not be so quick to unclutter, downsize, etc., in the name of clearing out the household, albeit for some good reasons, others not so good. This situation makes a clear announcement how when you decide to get rid of your stuff, you must be very vigilant while doing so. Having someone help you is fine, but they may not know the value, either it be monetary or emotional, that is attached to an item. I would imagine that this happens quite a lot if an organizational professional comes in to your home to help you decide what to sell, give away or trash. And if the owner is distraught, troubled, worried, or upset while she or he is reorganizing their life, mistakes are made, sometimes much to the detriment of the owner.

So, don’t be so eager to part with what are essential your memories. Not only are some things still near and dear to your heart, they are your physical DNA, a part of your heritage, so keep it, preserve it, display it, and when it is time to pass it on, it will be ready for the next generation to continue your family’s history.

That is what having a Family Museum is about.

P.S. I called Florence to find out the current status of her missing heirloom, but as of this date, I have not received a reply. If and when I do, I will let you know what happen to her “deeply sentimental piece.”