Among Friends

[catter70]

Keep your favorites and take pictures of the rest.

[msgb]

I lost my mother 4 yrs ago. She and my dad had 7 of us ( of which I am the oldest). Between myself and one of my brothers we have brought things to donation and also to consignment shops. Some of the items meant a lot ot our parents--especially to my mother. There is only so much that you can keep. My brother and I had one item that was especially hard for us to get rid of --emotionally --that was our dad's. He at one was a rep for a company and this item was the first item he ever bought when he started working there and he gave it to his parents. So it was very sentimental. While in good shape --we did not have the room at my brother's place or my place. Our other siblings live in other states or in other countries. We eventually donated it to a place that was thrilled to receive it.

When you donate or bring to a consignment you allow someone else to either enjoy the beauty of the item or enjoy the usefulness of the item.

[shoekitty]

@catmama   my mom always told me over and over about things she owned, so we would know value...she said even if we wanted to sell.  She said there was one thing that she couldn't tolerate, throwing good things in garbage. She said, give away, donate, take what you want.  But don't waste lol. I am like that too, I tell my daughters when I buy them something, do not leave in closet afraid you will offend me, by not wearing or using. Return, Give to Goodwill, regift sell it!!!  I am more offended if you just waste it. 
take what you love of hers, she enjoyed making them. What you don't want donate, gift or whatever. Let someone else  enjoy her gift !  I am sorry about  your mom.  I lost mine about the same time. It's hard parting with some things, isn't it?

[monicakm]

@catmama 

I hope no one in your life is trying to make you feel that way.  I don't think your mother would want you to clutter your house with what you don't want or will use.  Keep what speaks to you and take photos of the rest.  You can revisit them, smile and not have them stuck in a box somewhere taking up room and never seeing the light of day.

[Klimt]

---

@catmama wrote:

My mother passed away several years ago but when she was alive she was really into ceramics, took several classes and made many many items

I have quite a few of her pieces and some of them I love and treasure BUT there are some that are just not my style or I don't like them.

Am I heartless if I just get rid of them?

---

The only opinion that matters here is yours. So, what is it?

[lynnie61]

No, not cold hearted at all. We can’t keep it all. My grandmother made our family probably 25 -35 quilts. I have two that I loved. The rest that none of us wanted went to a homeless center. Kept several warm and comfy. That was good enough for me.

[AuntMame]

No, you are not cold-hearted. None of us has enough room to keep all the things that made our parents happy in some fashion. 

Something to consider... Many animal rescues hold annual fund-raising auctions around the holidays. They are always looking for artsy and craftsy donations to sell. Pictures, pottery, that sort of thing. Your mother's pottery might make a perfect donation to something like that. 

[AngelPuppy1]

@catmama 

I think it's wonderful that you have several items that your mother made and that you love and keep.  However, if there are some items that you really don't care for, then don't feel you have to keep them.  I would first check with other family members and see if anyone is interested in them.  If no takers, I would donate them to Good Will or some place.  I'm sure others would love to have them,  

[shoptilyadropagain]

No... not at all.

My mom passed away in August and my brother and I took very little from the house. I did take her jewelry box and got rid of 90% of the jewelry. She wanted my niece and I to have certain things and I let my great nieces take some of the nicer pieces and then let them and my great great nieces take most of her costume jewelry. My brother and I took a few other small items but neither one of us have a lot of room for a lot of extra things anyway.

[wagirl]

OP--absolutely not---keep the things you love and find new homes for the rest and if that is too hard or you feel guilty--take pictures of them!!! That's what I did--sold my house and just had no space for about 1/2 of the the things I wanted to keep including stuff from when my 2 kids were little--I staged them on my bed and took pictures, same with furniture and nic naks and many other things.