Such a dilemma. I am not a pack rat. I hate clutter and if I have something I don't need or want anymore, I get rid of it.
In my quest to simplify and reduce, I have a situation. I am in possession of furniture that has been in my family for a long time. Some of it is old and valuable and some of it just has sentimental value.
My parents, on the other hand, are pack rats. Not the type where I will be calling in the Horders group for an intervention, but they do keep some of the most unusual things. For example, they have the original brochures for every vehicle they have ever owned. At least in their need to keep such important documentations, they are very neat and orderly. No joke. In fact, as I think about it, I have a lot of pack rats in my family.
Somehow, we have to figure out the logistics of getting said furniture from Tucson back to Indiana to my brother. That is, if he wants it. I am not sure he really wants it because his house is full of stuff too. He inherited the pack rat gene. My parents don't have room for the furniture so if he doesn't want it, it is going to open another can of worms. I can't see paying to keep it all in storage for who knows how long. It will get very expensive and I am not sure anyone will ever want it. I would rather sell the furniture to someone who will appreciate it and take care of it. However, knowing my parents, selling is not an option.
Now don't get me wrong, I am sentimental and do have feelings for these lovely pieces, but I no longer need them or want them. They have served me well and it is time for us to part ways. I will always have the memories. I just won't have room for all of it in the new place and hopefully the next time we move it will be into an RV.
For all the things my parents gave me in this life, I am most grateful for the one thing they did NOT pass onto me-the need to keep EVERYTHING!
That is a toughy.
ReplyDeleteTricky. Did you inherit this furniture, or was it given to you? Is it of sufficient worth to your parents that they might clear out space for it?
ReplyDeleteFor all the things my father did NOT give me in life, he gave me the great gift of having culled out the superfluous before he died.
Roxanne
Were it me, I would contact both my parents and my brother and let them know that IF they would like the furniture, they will need to figure out a way to get it to them both logistically and financially. Give them a "by when" date and if they don't comply, sell it and split the money with them.
ReplyDelete