I’ve decided to get rid of this:
I received this suitcase from my grandparents, when I was no more than 6 years old. I clearly remember getting it, and it’s one of the few specific memories I have of the inside of their old farmhouse.
For the past 10 years (or more) it has held doll clothes. Doll clothes that were waiting to be passed on to my own daughter.
A few weeks ago, my daughter saw this suitcase sitting on the shelf at the top of her closet, and asked me to get it down. She immediately claimed the doll clothes, and wanted to pack the suitcase full of her own clothes for an overnight backyard camping trip with her brothers (which lasted for an entire 40 minutes due to heat, mosquitoes . . . and “noises”).
But the bottom of the suitcase looked like this:
Yes, those are screws sticking out that were once covered with plastic knobs. While not sharp, these things hurt if you rub against them the wrong way. Three kids in a small tent for even just 40 minutes . . . and someone would rub against them the wrong way.
So, the suitcase has been abandoned. It served a purpose, and is a sweet memory, but it is no longer safe.
I threw it away.
Some things are worth keeping. Some things can be repurposed to be enjoyed in a whole new way. But once things have served their purpose, and can’t be used without getting out a hacksaw or risking scratched floors/walls/kids, I need to let them go.
I don’t like these hard decisions.
It's tough letting go of things representing dear memories of loved ones or places but you made a smart (safe)decision…and you blogged about it so you have a photo and the story to go with it!
Kudos to you for being able to get rid of something with a lot of sentimental value, but that is not needed in your home. It is so hard for me to do that, but I'm slowly getting there. My mom just convinced me to donate my high school prom dresses this afternoon (and I'm 25). Why I thought I needed to keep them I can't even tell you… It just made me sad to see them go.
OOPS! I think I still have my prom dress somewhere, and it’s never occurred to me to get rid of it. Maybe I should. I’m 43. Of course, I’m not sure there are many places to donate an 80s prom dress. 😉
As a former theatre teacher, I loved having those for my costume stash!
That is a great idea, and my daughter’s high school has a very active drama department. I bet they could make use of it…if I ever get around to cleaning out my closet (where I think it’s stashed, er stored…somewhere).
But, I bought them at thrift stores! So don’t feel bad about donating along with all your other stuff. No need to search out a theatre teacher!
Vintage is cool! In my area, they have a program where you can donate dresses for school formal dances. They gather all the dresses together girls having trouble affording a fancy dress can try them on and choose one to keep.
Kudos to you for being able to get rid of something with a lot of sentimental value, but that is not needed in your home. It is so hard for me to do that, but I'm slowly getting there. My mom just convinced me to donate my high school prom dresses this afternoon (and I'm 25). Why I thought I needed to keep them I can't even tell you… It just made me sad to see them go.
Oh no! That must have been hard. I have a very similar suitcase from my grandma and it gets dingier looking every year…
Wow. Good for you! Not sure I'd have been able to come to the same decision. Big thumbs up!
I feel your pain. I have always saved things for my future children. Now that I have children I don't want to give them these treasures because I don't want any harm come to my beloved items. So they sit locked away for no one to see.
I too have many items from my past that no longer serve any purpose other than my "ah" moments. One that is terribly difficult to get rid of is a large trunk. It held dolls, toys, glow in the dark stickers when I was young. Then it was my hope chest when I got older. After I was married it held spare blankets and sheets. Now the wood posts have split in half exposing the nails. I don't want to get rid of it but it is dangerous. Not good with two kiddos. But I will always have my memories.
Now where do I put my sheets and blankets?
I solved this problem when I finally decluttered my linen closet. Every house and apartment I have ever lived in had a linen closet, and my current one is the smallest one so far. And, I followed Nony’s advice about containers. Only the towels, sheets, and blankets I could fit in there could stay. The rest had to be given away, repurposed as rags, or trashed.
I know that was hard. I have lots of things like your suitcase I have to part with. I am new to your blog and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it from the beginning. Thank you.
Welcome, Michelle!
You could have put new wheels on it and spared it. I know it was hard to get rid of. I have so many treasures that were my grandparents I don’t think I could part with any of them.
These truly are the hardest items to get rid of. I have suitcases just like these in the attic (minus the showing screws, which makes it harder to “justify” getting rid of them). Your blog inspired me to donate my wedding dress. My husband is deceased, as well as my mom, who bought the dress and that was a huge purging of material AND emotional clutter!
Just this week I parted with a large wood box with a lid that my dad (now deceased) had made when he was a teenager in the mid-1940s. Although it was not in very good condition any longer, it was still hard to let it go. I reminded myself that I have other things that Dad had made that I can use and enjoy.