My Grandma's Thanksgiving Dishes

Many of our clients are downsizing their homes or, in harder circumstances, are moving to a place where they can obtain the support they need. We also work with people who have made the decision to de clutter their lives in a take-charge kind of way. In all of these cases, that means letting go of some things.

The challenge is that we want so much for someone in the family....anyone at all...to care as much about that item as we do.  We want to see its spirit carried on, its story continue to grow, and it’s status be cemented to heirloom.  I mean, who doesn’t want that?

I experienced this myself recently when my brother retired and moved from his home of 25 years to life on the road.  The journey of these dishes started many years ago, however.

When my grandma passed in 1991, my mom took her beautiful, well-loved  Thanksgiving dishes that donned her table all the years we were growing up.  My mom then used these every Thanksgiving at her home with all of us until she downsized the second time in 2012.  She loved them, but her 600 sq ft adorable condo just couldn’t accommodate them and also wasn't going to accommodate all of us for Thanksgiving dinner.  As things go, the baton was passed, and it is best if you pass it with confidence.

Because I’m the daughter, I had first dibs, but I am a “Christmas Person", so I respectfully declined.  My one brother took them with ease because they were a part of our history growing up and sharing Thanksgiving dinner at our grandparents and then at our mom’s.  He had a young family at the time and plenty of space, so it was a great win-win-win (dishes won, too)

My brother, with his wife and two kids, began hosting Thanksgiving (b/c I was the Christmas Person) and for over 25 years, showcasing these cherished, beautiful dishes. Every Thanksgiving for 25 years.  When the whole set it together and that carved turkey is brought in on the platter,

When my brother downsized 6 months ago, guess who fought over those dishes?  Fortunately, there are twelve place settings, so they each got 6, and will now connect great-grandma's Thanksgiving dishes to the fourth generation they are now bringing up. They are now great-great grandma’s dishes.  

A friend of mine once told me, “you can’t make old friends” in a conversation we were having about another friend who moved away, hoping for a great, bright change only to find that she felt isolated and was struggling.  Connection takes time.  History take time.  If you have things like this, start using them now and creating experiences and connections with them now.  If it’s a tea set, have an annual tea party.  If it’s clay pots that your best friend loved, grow some basil in them and have a pesto party with your family members.  If you need help figuring out some ways to implement these items into the life of your family so that they too can gain the connection, email us.  We would love to brainstorm with you!

Remember, with the younger generations, their lives are very different from ours.  It’s not that they "don't care".  They just need time to make an old friend. 

Stunning in person! Johnson Brothers Wild Turkey Native American Pattern