Several years ago when I was in Ontario visiting my sister we spent some time reorganizing some of her closets. That’s when we came across the boots. The big bad bright blue boots. She didn’t wear them any longer but they held special memories for her from another time. A time when she was young and carefree and living in another country as an exchange student in Denmark. To throw away the boots felt like she was throwing away that time in her life, so they sat in her closet year after year collecting dust until I got a hold of them.
So what was the compromise? We took a picture of those oh so lovely boots (ahem), a picture of my sister lovingly caressing them and saying goodbye. Then together we took them to the Salvation Army and I watched as she cried huge wracking sobbing tears of sadness. Oh okay maybe she wasn’t exactly sobbing but I swear I saw a tear leave her eye as she reluctantly handed them over.
As difficult as it was though she did part with them, that part is true. Now she has pictures of the boots to remember that time in her life and has a lot little more space in her closet to utilize for other things. She still misses them terribly but she says she doesn’t regret giving them away.
Way to go girl, love ya! :)
I’m linking this post to Tanna’s new weekly event called Picture My Memories. Document your memories and pass them on to future generations instead of STUFF.
PS: I’ve cropped the picture above as the actual picture shows my sister trying to keep her face from going to the ugly cry. Really it was just too much so I had to crop her out :)
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Oh, that just gave me really bad flash backs of a pair of blue shoes I had once. The blue boots would have been much better! Congrats to your sister for letting them go. Maybe someone else will have a wonderful journey in them!
Oh the stories those blue boots must have…but now at least they are forever released from closet purgatory to live again. So kind of you to cut your sister’s face out, I bet she appreciates it. :)
What a wonderful idea for my son!! He is a pack rat of the worst kind. He wants to keep stuff just because a certain loved one gave it to him. Maybe I can use this idea to get him to part with things that are better off gone.
Those are some really cute blue boots. Sometime we have to just let things go!!
I had some red leather “pixie” boots back in the eighties – I did give them to charity a LONG time ago, but wish I had taken a photo of them now!
GREAT idea for a link up – will have to have a think about what I could photograph/donate.
I probably would have turned the boots into planters ~ love the bright blue color. lol! It’s funny how hard it is to let go of pieces from our past.
In preparation for my daughter and granddaughter moving in with us during SIL’s deployment, we took most (we kept a few) of daughter’s sports trophies, put them on our dining room table, took a picture and then threw them out!
Love the idea of photographing things that hold memories but are useless and taking up space before letting them go. I’m here a little late with an idea, don’t tell your sister – they could have been used as yard art. They would have made adorable planters!
Laura,
I’d like to mention your blog and the Picture My Memories meme in my Motivation Monday entry tomorrow at The Motivation Station. I’d like to know if I could have permission to copy the blue boots photo for the write up.
Thanks, Martha
http://tmschallenges.blogspot.com/
I had to laugh at this!
It’ s really a great idea, though. When it came time to throw out my trophies from college, I took photos of them and let them go. I still have proof I won them :0), but they no longer clutter up the mantle!
Aww, makes me think of high school and college – *sniff* In high school I had a favorite pair of Doc Martens and in college I had an authentic pair of paratrooper boots I bought at the army surplus store. I loved those boots. =)
I’ve done this as well. Good idea! I think that’s what I’ll do with a box of stuff that’s under the bed that’s been there for years. They are just momentos that people gave me and take up too much space.
I think each of us has that special item that we hold so dear, that it is so hard to give it up. But your sister did a noble thing by giving it to Salvation Army, someone else can now start new memories with her Blue Boots.
It is so true, oh how I loved those boots!! My sister was just too right though, it just isn’t the same seeing a thirty year old wearing bright blue boots as a eighteen year old :) Thanks for all the help.
By the way you said you wouldn’t tell that I was crying over my boots!!!
Love Org Junkie’s Little sister!!
Great idea. I’ve done this in the past with the kids’ artwork that they’ve brought home from school. Right now though, I’m curled up sick on the couch halfway lusting after the boots she got rid of..lol!
My doc martins are in my closet too…. for the same reason -just can not let go. Mine are not blue, but gosh I am so glad I am not the ONLY ONE!