My family’s history and story is of great concern to, so much so that I intend to reconstruct the family tree as far as I can get in order to know who came before me.
In this same sense, I put a lot a value into objects that have reached through the generations. I have china, some furniture, personal items, photos and photo albums, etc.
Everything tells a piece of a story I wasn’t able to fully live through and instead just brushed me growing up.
It gives me a sense of belonging.
My grandparents were not wealthy people. They were products of the Great Depression. They kept nearly everything they ever and bought and every major purchase was carefully calculated.
I only ever saw my grandad wear one watch. A Timex from probably the late 1980’s. I would guess it cost < $20 new at Walmart back then.
It still works. I usually only wear it for special occasions. I’ve spent way more than it’s value having jewelers maintain it over the last 25 years.
I still miss the old man. You can’t put a price tag on those memories.
I can respect that.