A Valuable Possession

We sometimes tend to amass possessions - often without being aware of doing so. Indeed, we can have a delightful surprise when we find something useful which we forgot we owned. Unwanted objects are left in drawers, cupboards and attics for years, in the belief that we may one day need them. As we grow older, we accumulate belongings for three other reasons:

• Lack of physical and mental energy, both of which are essential in turning out and throwing away unwanted things.
• Lack of time or laziness
• Sentiment

I think I belong to the third category. I won't throw away things which are full of associations with the past - especially those things associated with relatives who passed away. These possessions gradually acquire for me a value beyond their true worth.

This brooch was offered to me by my grandmother a few months before she passed away. It's made of silver and a few semi-precious stones. But that's all my grandfather could afford when he married my grandmother. My grandma had always worn this brooch since her wedding day. And when she gave it to me, I felt I owned a valuable possession.

What's your most valuable possession?

Comments

[Stefania]

An authentic chinese vase I got at a flea market in Singapore for a very good price.

[Christina]

My most valuable possession? Hmmm... my laptop, of course! Love that brooch of yours by the way.

[Account Deleted]

Even if you're asked to purge, I think you should not throw or give this away---it's so precious and a family heirloom---it's such a valuable piece of jewelry. And it's so beautiful.

My college ring, my engagement ring (because it belonged to my husband's grandma) and my oil painting which I did when I was 11 years old---my first oil painting --a painting depicting my love for my mom.

[Laura]

I never throw away anything of sentimental value as these things bring back happy memories associated with my family or friends. I still keep my children's toys in the attic or their first school books and notebooks. But my most valuable possession is, I think , my bike!

[Karolina]

My teddy bear - a birthday gift from my parents when I was 5. My dream is to give it to my son or daughter when I make a family. This teddy bear means so much to me!

[Lakis Ioannou]

My mountain refuge - a small cottage in one of Cyprus' mountaineous villages. That's the place where I can really relax and unwind. It's my haven of peace and quiet.

[Alexia M]

My most valuable possession comes from your country, Anastasia. It's a silver plate - typical of the real Greek Cypriot art - on which it was written: " To Alexia with Love - Your friends from Cyprus". I can still remember the day I opened up this gift and cried! This reminds me always of all the great Greeks I worked for in Cyprus and of all the great friends I made there during my 2-year stay in what I call a blessed land.

I have put that silver plate in the hall of my appartment in Amsterdam and for me is a great treasure. You know what? No one in the Netherlands would ever give such a precious gift to a foreign co-worker who was only there for two years!

[Mrkmakth]

Anastasia, my most prized non-material "possession" is our online friendship which means the world to me. My most prized material possession is my ipad!

[Phivos Nicolaides]

Well, have a wonderful new week ahead dear Anastasia!

[Lisa A]

My workshop is full of many different objects. I keep them all because many times a certain object can trigger my inspiration for my next painting. I love all my paintings even the ones I know they are not very good but they are a part of me, so they are all valuable possessions. By the way, Anastasia, your brooch is so beautifull!!!

[Jean-Paul Bouvier]

Ma vieille guitare.