I know I mentioned that I do not get hooked on anything except K drama (and a few other western ones), but I acquired another obsession. It's Online Estate Sale. I somehow stumbled upon it as I was browsing through the web, browsing at anything and everything I ever wanted to search because I will probably never have another 336 hours to browse the internet aimlessly.
So here was my new found quarantine best friend EstateSales.NET. Our old charming fix up co-op apartment in NYC was full of flea market and second hand art/furniture finds. My hubby used to wake up at 5 am on Saturdays in search for the unique vintage items. I used to love going to Estate sales in search of a unique jewelry piece or a vintage dress. Since vintage shops, not to mention a flea market is nonexistent in HK, this was a good alternative. There are tons of stuff that you can review first, then decide to go.
I wouldn't take most of the stuff even if someone paid me since I'm trying very hard to Marie Kondo my home and most of these are absolutely not my taste. But as I am browsing through some of these fascinating items, they beg the question, "what is the story behind the photographs, paintings, accessories, crystals, chinaware, toys, dolls, apparels....?" Someone wore these, bought these for a purpose, served festive meals with them, and played joyously with them. Are they gone and their children just want to offload? Did they realize they just accumulated too much crap and didn't t bother to purge regularly? I guess for many Americans they don't ned to purge since most of them live what would be considered a mansion by most of the world's standard. Are they downsizing and have to let go of all the fond memories that these items carry and hope they will become someone else's memory?
It's intriguing why these items are being let go and what the stories are behind each piece. They must have seen and heard so much. If only the rocking chair could tell the stories of who sat there, if only the silver necklace could tell whose neck it adorned, if only the dolls could tell who played with them. Wait, that's a freaky thought. My daughter got frightened of dolls after about 9 and removed all her American girl and Barbie dolls out of the room. She said she was afraid they might come alive. Like Chucky. I mean, I always loved playing with dolls when I was little, but now I have to admit, they are kind of freaky. But if they could talk, they would have such fascinating stories to tell. If only they could write a blog...
I am not much of a collector although in recent years, I started collecting snowglobes from our travels.. I hope my daughter or son will decide to keep them. I know that my siblings or I will keep the souvenir spoons collection that my mom has had for over 20 years.
Maybe a legacy is about leaving memories and stories of hope and resilience you leave behind, not material things. Nonetheless, maybe a few memorabilia keepsakes to remember the fond moments are not such bad things if they spark "your" joy.
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