Thursday 15 August 2019

"Anyone may have diamonds: an heirloom is an ornament of quite a different kind." Elizabeth Aston

We had the youngest's party in a park on the weekend, and I dug out the party cups that I purchased from Ikea 18 odd years ago for our eldest's first birthday. These cups have appeared at many extended family events, at parties in parks all over the city and through the birthday parties of the three children. In the last decade and more, I've not purchased plastic or paper cups for events.

I explained this to one of the mum's who had commented on having so many Ikea cups. She replied "Oh, they're heirlooms! We better make sure they all come home."

When you think about it, they sort of are. They've witnessed a lot of celebrations as my children and their friends and cousins grew up. They are not special or precious in themselves, they're practical, but I now view them in a different light after the comment. Now they make me smile, while I'd never even thought about them before.

Isn't it funny how an offhand comment can change your view of something?

As Faulkner said "Our most treasured family heirloom are our sweet family memories. The past is never dead, it is not even past."

Linking with #BlueMonday and #RubyTuesdayToo

15 comments:

  1. She was so right ... we look on certain mundane items in our own home, and what they have witnessed and been present at, and they become much more than utensils or practical things. #TwinklyTuesday

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  2. I am about to move house so trying to declutter. So hard when so many special memories caught up with objects like the children's artwork and old school books. I was very proud when I asked my 18 year old son who no longer lives with us if he wanted me to get rid of his cuddly toys and he said not. Good to know they still matter! #TwinklyTuesday

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  3. Beautiful words and totally agree with you that past is never dead X #twinklytuesday

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  4. Memories and people are always more important than things. But I am quite unsentimental about "stuff" #Twinklytuesday

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  5. Yep your mum is spot on, they may only be Ikea cups, but they're the best. We have some of a different design and they too have seen a lot of things over the years.

    #TwinklyTuesday

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  6. Simple things can inspire the best memories! Lovely that you have kept them for so long and made them part of your family's history. Thanks for linking up with globalblogging

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  7. I like this sentiment, its lovely to have something simple like cups with the family for so long. To go and grab one for a simple drink and be reminded of happy, forgotten memories. Thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday

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  8. I think memories are much more valuable X #stayclassymama

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  9. We still have these cups too from when my kiddos were toddlers. They are so handy and still used! Funny what we treasure isn’t it? #stayclassymama

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  10. We still have these cups too from when my kiddos were toddlers. They are so handy and still used! Funny what we treasure isn’t it? #stayclassymama

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  11. I ha to throw out a pair of kids shorts today that had holes in. All of my children and my sister's have worn them so my heart felt sad. Not expensive, not valuable but had been worn for the last 10 summers by someone I love dearly. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama

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  12. Okay dearest Lydia, this gave me beautiful chills! Sometimes people tend to look at the monetary value of things to take it as something extravagant and memorable. But look at these beautiful cups. They may not seem to be grand but they have been with you all for a long time and witnessed a lot of beautiful milestones! I will not forget this post Lydia :)

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  13. How true, we sometimes don't give enough credit to simple things in our life, but certain articles are so intertwined with our family's history and events they become special.

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  14. They are great colors. Any item you have that have meaning are surely heirlooms, even if they are IKEA cups. I bet one of your kids (at least) have strong connections to them. Maybe?

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