General Chat

There has only been one poster then that doesn't keep cards and things. And of course Merlin who said get a shredder LOL.
I said to my OH that he had never sent me a Valentines card or ever written me a letter. He has never been big in the romance stakes but does pick beautiful words in my birthday and xmas cards. He says the words say it all.
My son popped in this morning and I said we had been chatting about all our momentoes and he just looked at me and did a slow shake of his head. That confirms where my lots going to end up then :-D :-D

I started keeping my cards when I went out with my husband. I got a beautiful huge padded Christmas card and a beautiful huge padded valentine card. That was it. Being of a tight disposition I never got another. Needless to say nowadays as we don't live in the same house I do still get a birthday card from him but certainly no Christmas cards and definitely no valentines- lol-jl

When we were newly married and went to live abroad for about two and a half years, my dad wrote regularly, - about 3 times a fortnight. Sometimes this was in answer to letters I had sent, but other letters were just chit chat about where he and mum had been, folk back home or what he'd planted / harvested from the garden. It really meant alot when I was so far from home for the 1st time.

Getting ready to come home meant all our belongings went into packing crates and space was limited so after reading through again I got rid of the letters and we returned to UK. Less than 6 weeks later my dear dad died suddenly of a heart attack, when on a day out.
I so wish I had those letters still and perhaps because of that I keep all the family cards. Those from aunts and uncles I am able to let go of when another arrives the following year, but close family ones are still here.

Mum treasured and kept all the homemade cards that my nephews made her, but when the eldest was 21 she gave his all back to him in a large envelope..... I don't know if he still has them.

I'm not sure what my children will do with my kept cards. Son might not want them, but the girls are a bit sentimental over some of their inherited low-key family items, so the cards might last a few more years.

Gwyn

I often think about OH's letters to me and I know he has mine. Just do not want anyone else to read them.

Cards we send each other humorous ones - have those, cards from g.children especially when they were young. I kept all school reports and some homework books of my children's and some years after they left home I gave them to them.

G.children thought it was great to read their mother's school reports!

I agree Barb, I'm just the same. Boy, there's going to be a massive bonfire when I pops me clogs :-D

I think it is definitely an age thing Brenda because in my opinion the young ones today have a totally different outlook on life. It has become more of a throw away society.
But like what has already been said, its our lives , in boxes and cupboards and behind sofas that have made us what we are and I like it
So long live my boxes and full cupboards
:-D :-D :-D

I am guilty of being a keeper of cards...some really old,like my birthday cards from my gran when I was 2 etc that my mother had kept...they are just like postcards in the shape of the figure..I can see my grans writing from over 70 years ago.
I also have my mothers 90th birthday cards and husbands and I have things grandchildren have made me over the years.
They are so precious to me,but I expect when they clear up after me they'll be thrown away
Then again I am something of a hoarder in other areas...put it down to my age ,which wasn't a throwaway one!

Not far off Barbara, but I am trying to streamline it lol

Carol :-)

Karen, It is very sad but I try not to think about it. The only consolation is that we wont be around when it happens.

What bothers me is that all these treasures we hang on to - letters, cards, photos, pieces or furniture, and in my case, a bug ugly clock - we hang onto them because they are a part of our own history, and they tell a story, a story invoving our family - but many of us know that other family members don't share our sentiments, so all those things we have saved and savoured are likely to get binned after we've gone. I find that incredibly sad :-(

Merlin -
the clock sits on the floor behind the settee because it is so big and so ugly - it doesn't fit with the decor or style of the room or the house, so I've nowhere to put it, but I cannot get rid of it because of the memories it holds. To me it's an ugly thing of beauty - if that makes sense!! If hubby and the rest of my family had their way it would be in the skip!
However, I thank you for your advice and I will take a close look at it - how does one recognise a French Movement?

Karen

Carol
A lorry :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

I got married in a suit and still have it and the hat. Cant get into it now of course. :-(

None of my children are interested in family history but my 14 yr. old grandson said he would look after it, hope when he inherits and the lorry arrives he still thinks the same ;-) ;-)

Carol

Jo I expect he has thought about that and consoles himself with the fact that he will inherit the momentos from you
Could be eh? :-) :-)

I have my wedding dress, tiara and veil. Along with all our wedding cards, and love letters to each other.

How can I throw them away?

:-)

Barbinglos,

I have never asked my son, but do wonder if he regrets not having the mementos that I have of his only sister. I know that he has photos but when I see and read the messages on the cards she sent to me, I can only wish that he could have kept the same to him. :-(

Jo

Mine is the same so I am doing it for me me me :-D :-D

my son's the same - asked him if he was interested at all in the family tree - response was "Well I don't like the ones who are living so I certainly don't care about the ones who are dead" so there we have it :-D :-D

So sorry to hear about your daughter Jo but how heartwarming that you have kept all her cards to you.
My stepson died 15 years ago aged only 29 and I have kept his first handmade cards and little models he used to make. Junk to anyone else but to me and his dad, so precious.
My son thinks the same as yours. Chuck it out. No way :-)

how lovely Jo - they are to be treasured for sure

In June 2010 I sorted through 4 drawers of photos, cards and paper memorabilia from family and friends over the years. I did manage to part from quite a lot of what I had amassed but kept all cards for every occasion from my immediate family.

When I told my son what I had kept he said I should have chucked the lot ! Not much sentiment there then !

In July 2011 my daughter died and I am so glad that I still have all the birthday, mother's day, Christmas cards, thank you notes etc that she sent to me.

I don't look at them much but knowing that I still have all the lovely messages from my daughter is wonderful and reminds me so much of all the good times.
:-) Jo