Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for April 03, 2018

It’s a link to who you are and where you came from. A whole tea service is likely too much, but I have a couple of things like that – an old Victorian prison spoon and candle holder, and a couple of watch “alberts” (that I still wear from time to time) – that all belonged to my great-grandfather (a prison warder at one point). At some point, when I think they’ll be appreciated, I’ll pass them on down the line.

look out Antiques Road Show here we come

I understand what Janis is experiencing. I have some old family portraits that go back to about the 1870s, and I have no idea who they are. My late mother didn’t, either. Still, I can’t get rid of them. It would seem disrespectful, not to mention bad karma.

A growing problem. https://www.mnn.com/your-home/remodeling-design/blogs/nobody-wants-family-heirlooms-any-more

Janis as a little girl looks just like Mary Lou’s little girl. (Since we last saw her she may be a teen ager by now)

Janis is behaving like someone in their 80’s.

I have a mustache cup from my maternal great great grandfather. He died before I was born. It’s kinda cool, but a bit flowery for my taste.

I actually purchased a Noritake china set when I was in the Navy. 43 years later, I’ve never used it.

They say kids today don’t want the stuff. I know when my in laws died, they had tons of books but the local library was limiting the what they would accept as donations because they were overwhelmed. Just because you like it doesn’t mean your kids or grandkids will.

There’s a fine line between being a hoarder and a packrat. I have my grandfather’s WWI Army medals, a coffee mug from the school I attended – now closed – and a barrel chair my parents purchased when they set up housekeeping. Our great-granddaughter sleeps in the bed my mum had when she was a girl. I also have a bunch newspapers from V-E Day, King Edward VIII abdication, and a stack of magazines from WWII, full of war-time household hints.

Nothing exactly useless, you understand, but darned close to it!

Your kids don’t want your “stuff.”

I had my husband’s grandmother’s china and crystal after she died. I never used it. Had my own to use for special occasions. So, when she was ready, I gave that china and crystal to my daughter. She actually uses it, which is great because that stuff was not meant to just be looked at.

My wife wound up with her very fancy grandmother’s china set AND the Noritake china her brother gave their mother. We do use the Noritake for occasions. And none of the three kids seem to be interested in either set.

@joedon2007 – that reminds me, isn’t it time we checked in on Gene & MaryLou?

Grandpa Green gave a bunch of his old stuff to my father. We went down to Old Town in two pickups to get it. Assorted brothers and sisters were mad at him for getting it.

“Daddy gave it to me.”

“Yeah, but he also offered it to us. We didn’t want to deprive him of it while he was still living.”

Afterwards, “I sure am glad you came for it. I’ve been trying to get rid of it for years but nobody wanted it.”

I have my mom’s china which I have only used once. My youngest daughter is getting it when the time comes. She is the most awesome cook and hostess I’ve ever had the good fortune to experience. I know she will enjoy it.

The “kids” usually appreciate the family heirlooms as they get older. It takes until they are older than 35.

Kids aren’t interested unless the stuff is worth a lot of money.