Like Jeri, I'm a packrat. Like Sorcha, I have kept a lot. Mom would've been so proud of us when she died 3 years ago. We had one afternoon when we were all five together and went through her stuff to decide who would keep what. We did a good and fair job and were able to sit down to supper together after.

I have my maternal grandma's silver beads choker which she gave me when I was 8, as that was the age she received it.

I also have my mom's Bible which she won in a singing contest at church when she was just a girl.

I have a pillow my aunt made for all of her sisters, including my mom, which she used grandma's tulip quilt pattern for. Each pillow was a one square replica of the original.

I have my other grandma's Bavarian china and some really old silver, plus an oil lamp which they used on the ranch in Colorado.

Most precious to me are the old family photographs showing the original log cabin homestead of my dad's family; my maternal "schoolmarm" grandma riding her horse to school; my other grandma as a young lady; plus other papers.

Ah, the other precious thing I have is a cassette tape my dad made of his memories of growing up with extraordinary people; and one I have of my mom talking a little bit about growing up and singing a little. If anyone still has parents, grandparents living, please try to get them to put stuff down on a tape. It is priceless, not only to those of us who are their children, but also to our children and their children.

Thanks for this thread, Jerry. I had to cry a bit before I could post. I love reading what other's have posted.

kat