I’m learning that when a loved one dies, there’s a stage of needing to hold on to their belongings – as if having those items close somehow strengthens our connection to them. I am finding this true with my mom. There are keepsakes she wanted me to have and then the birthday, Christmas, and Mother’s Day gifts I had given her over the years. On a recent trip to my parent’s home, I brought home the serenity bell I gave Mom a year ago for her birthday. It now hangs in a safe spot on my porch.
Then there’s this green glass pitcher. It was my paternal grandmother’s. I’ve used this for years to hold tea, lemonade, and water. I don’t think it was expensive, but I treasured it.
One day I discovered it in the sink, cracked along the bottom. Crushed, I set it aside – I couldn’t throw it out. It sat in the laundry room sink for months.
Until the day I took a hammer and smashed it into pieces. Hannah ran the bits of glass through her rock tumbler for a week.
The result isn’t quite a sea glass look, but they are opaque and frosty.
Now to figure out what the glass will become in its next life.
I think you are right about feeling some closeness to your lost loved one through their treasures. I’m just starting to be able to let go of some of my mom-in-law’s things from 9 years ago.. But there are some things I think I’ll always treasure too. (And I feel the same way about a lot of my grandmother’s things I still treasure after 26 years.) I can’t wait to see what beautiful things emerges from the frosted glass former pitcher. Thanks for sharing.
Oh my ,this touched my heart as it is so true..I have many items from my mom who passed in 2003. She loved to China paint and gave me so many pieces. I also brought things home that I gave her and I still wear her jewelry.
Ooooh…I love the beautiful color of that “sea glass.” I can relate to holding on to a loved ones things. My mom passed a few years ago and when it’s chilly in the house I wear an old fleece jacket of hers. It’s like getting a hug from her. I have many other special things from her, all labeled with info for my kids. {Would like to know what you will be doing with your glass.}
I loved reading this one Susan.
It is good to keep special things for a while or longer.
Both on my parents are now in Heaven together.
Mom in 2016 and daddy just two weeks ago. I miss him daily
I love their things and have to work through that letting go.
I hope to see what you made with this beautiful glass. Perhaps take up stained glass. I love the color
I’m sorry for your loss. All the best to you in these hard times.