Have you ever opened a closet and found yourself staring at an old sweater or a fishing rod, feeling overwhelmed with sentimentality?
Or stumbled upon a long-forgotten storage bin in the attic, full of mementos tucked away for “safe keeping”?
It’s amazing how items like these can trigger such powerful memories. But here’s a question to ponder:
Are the items themselves really what we need to hold onto, or is it the memories and the love that truly matter?
Things ≠ People
When we cling to items out of sentimentality, we often believe that these objects are a piece of the person we love. In reality, however, they’re just things. Our loved ones live on in our hearts, not in a sweater or an old chair. So how do we lovingly and respectfully handle sentimental items without letting them clutter our lives or weigh us down?
Here are four ways to work through sentimentality while still honoring the memories of our loved ones:
1. Use Items for Their Purpose
One way to keep the memory of a loved one alive is by using their belongings for their intended purpose.
For example, if Aunt Sally always wore her colorful sweater around the house, wearing it yourself can be a beautiful way to honor her memory by using something that she also enjoyed using. Every time you slip it on, you might be reminded of her laugh, her smile, and the warmth she brought into your life.
However, it’s important to separate the item from Aunt Sally herself. Remember, the sweater is just a piece of fabric; Aunt Sally’s spirit, love, and influence are what truly mattered, and what will remain even after her sweater is gone.
Her sweater is a reminder, not a replacement.
2. Get Creative: Make an Artistic Display
Another option is to transform sentimental items into something beautiful that can be actively appreciated.
Let’s say Aunt Sally’s sweater isn’t quite your style to wear, but you don’t want to tuck it away in a drawer forever. With a simple mat and frame, you could turn it into a piece of art to grace the walls of your home. This way, the item becomes a creative, functional piece of your life, rather than just an object collecting dust.
3. Repurpose with Intention
Sometimes, repurposing can be a practical way to keep a sentimental item without tucking it away, where it can’t be seen and enjoyed.
Instead of holding onto a whole box of old shirts that remind you of your grandfather, consider turning them into a quilt. Or, perhaps you’ve inherited several ties from your father. These could be transformed into an accent pillow.
By giving these items a new life by creating something that you can see and use daily, you honor the memory without letting sentimentality overwhelm your space.
4. Donate to a Place of Meaning
Lastly, consider donating sentimental items to a place where they can be appreciated by others. After all, storing items in a bin – where they can’t be seen and where they fail to trigger the happy memories we seek – is counterintuitive and benefits no one.
An old Letterman’s jacket from your grandfather’s high school days might mean a lot more on display at his alma mater than tucked away in your closet. Museums, schools, or local libraries may accept donations of memorabilia, especially if it helps tell a story or connect with a community’s history.
Letting Go of Items, Holding On to Love
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that the item you’re holding onto is not the person themselves. Holding onto things does not bring our loved ones back or keep them closer. Our memories, our stories, and the love we carry in our hearts are what truly keep their spirits alive.
An Eternal Perspective
As the Bible reminds us in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Let’s focus on the eternal and cherish the memories while not letting our earthly possessions tie us down. By letting go of what we don’t need, we make space for what truly matters: love, memories, and the eternal hope we have in Christ.
