Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Let's Chat, "Mid At" ! Whatever, whoever, yak away, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Sally--

You may go there just to take photos of everything (insurance value???) and to learn the stories
behind every little trinket.
Make it a family affair--take your kids along--as they are the next generation to inherit
much of this stuff. More precious if they know the history behind it all.....

It is never too early to visit with older relatives and to learn what is important to THEM--
Once you know what came from where--and WHY--it may assume a whole different meaning
to you and any other of the "next" generation.
Most things have a story behind them---No one just leaves the house in the morning and
comes back with a horde of collectibles.....
It is a life's story tied to little things--that may NOT mean a whole lot to anyone else--like
the kids or Grand kids.....But--it is well worth knowing what it is and where it was purchased and WHY.

Ever visit an Antiques Shop? One could just cry--as many things there were remnants of
someone's life no one else wanted....If they only knew!!!

These are the threads of life woven into a tapestry to be passed on. To keep us warm on
cold days and hard times....To reminisce.....To remember.....To pass on....

What is your most precious thing you own, Sally? Why does it mean so much to you?

Here is mine----(Picture at the end) A gift given to my G-Father and G-Mother in 1928.

This heavy cut Crystal Brandy bottle, with solid Sterling Silver collar inscribed:
"From the crew of "NARA" on your Silver Wedding Anniversary--1903-1928.
It comes with 10 (2 may have been lost or broken) Chrystal shot glasses with
Sterling Silver bottoms.

I was born in 1937--so this was way before my time! He died before I was ever born.
Being a Captain--he was a big drinker and partyer...I believe he died of either a massive
brain Stroke--or a brain annurism.
His wife--my "Oma" (Grandmother) came to the USA with us in 1951 and died in 1957.
I never knew my Father (he died when I was 2 1/2) nor my Grandfather.... nor my Uncle...

This man--my Grandfather--was a Captain on many ships, as was his son--my uncle--
who chose not to leave his command and come with us as we left out Homeland. He just
felt his responsibility to his ship as more important.....

My GF was also the harbormaster of all of Latvia. The ship "Nara" whose crew gave this
gift to him was a rescue ship. They set out to save lives on the Seas...as needed...

I remember my G-Mother telling me stories about the ship heading out to rescue
someone or other--as in the frozen winters--many sailors had many mishaps...
Some froze to the masts----some ships got ice-logged and had to have the crews rescued.
That is what he did. He was a bearded , stocky man...with a slew of medals across his chest...

He had a couple of brothers--and Uncles--all equally memorable in the history of Latvia.
One built Organs....One was a writer and a Poet.....An earlier one--took years to translate
the "Odyssey" into Latvian. In the letters I translated--it wrote of how he struggled with it...

My Mother brought along some letters that were written in the old, Germanic alphabet--but in Latvian....
from one of her Father's Uncles to her father (as a young man.)
They were just copies--as the originals were donated to a Maritime Museum in Sweden
and hard to see and read....

I actually took the time to get familiar with the old writing style--and translated all these
letters into modern writing--still keeping the original context.
First in Latvian--and then further translating them in English--so our kids would understand...
None of my, or my Sister's kids speak Latvian. A sort of "dead end"....

With my daughter restoring all the ancient photos and putting them in a CD--and me translating all
these letters--I just hope someone will see them as an important link to their "roots'....

So you see--Family history is VERY important---
Someone could have, very well, throw these faded copies of letters, in a script not familiar,
into the trash...Little would they know.........

Here lies the burden of kids left to deal with deceased parent's and Grandparent's
belongings and property. To many it would just be trash. IF the preceding generation
would have taken the time to put little notes on important papers and pictures--
tell stories and sit with the elderly to listen--this would not happen....

Again--this is too long a Post--but I just have to say what I need to say...
IF it makes anyone "see the light"--it will have been worth it.....

Whew!!!! Gita

Here is a picture of my most precious passed down item.
Not saying I do not have other precious belongings---but this one has "strings attached"....



This message was edited Mar 19, 2011 8:10 PM