Posted 11 years ago
antiquerose
(1467 items)
THE ESTATE SALE
The ladies of the cul-de-sac,
Agreed to meet at nine;
They thought by going early,
They could be first in line.
Reluctantly, I went along,
Though garage sales weren't my bag;
Too many clothes with tiny holes,
And old furniture that sags.
The ladies said that this sale,
Was going to be unique;
They called it an "Estate Sale,"
Said the items might be neat.
A lot of people had turned out,
They were there before we came;
They pawed through items on the tables,
In ways that made me feel ashamed.
Two ladies had a tug-of-war,
Over a cloth of Irish lace;
The victor grabbed her trophy,
A look of smugness on her face.
Other ladies snatched at jewelry,
Dropping some upon the ground;
No one had the courtesy,
To pick up what had fallen down.
Manners were forgotten,
Greed reigned everywhere;
I, myself, was sickened,
Does no one even care?
Those items on the tables,
Were once somebody's treasures;
Now they're remnants of a life,
Of another's joys and pleasures.
I saw a red tricycle,
Turned over on its side;
How many years, I wondered,
Since its owner had a ride.
A painted doll, with matted hair,
Was propped up against a box;
How long ago, do you suppose,
That a child brushed its locks?
In a badly battered suitcase,
Lay what seemed a wedding dress;
A scent of dried, pressed roses
Confirmed my troubled guess.
I went home with heavy heart,
But, I also had determined ...
I did not want to ever be,
A possessive, selfish woman.
Moral of Story.....
If friend or relative, alike,
Admires something that I own;
From hereon in, I plan to say,
"It's yours ... please take it home."
I'd rather see their pleasure now,
As long as I am able;
I'll have more joy from my things,
Than if displayed later on some table.
~ Virginia Ellis ~
Copyright © 1999
( Quoted from: http://www.pennyparker2.com/estate.html )
Now that is apt!
See the same things down here!
Yay Rose. Get it.
This is why I stick to the thrift stores.
I always try and be respectful when I randomly go to estate sales. I mostly look for vintage holiday (as seen by my fab Easter displays) and love what I find. I always ask about the owner, and sometimes they are the ones who are selling. Always nice to hear their stories. And, I've certainly yelled at people to show some respect
That was a fun to look at table and the story was all so true :-) I enjoyed looking at the full table . I have not been to a yard sale in years . So you took me to one today :-) Thanks ! xo
Wow what a great post Rose xo You seem like such a lovely person. I stick with antique stores, thrifts, and occasional yard sales, if I go at all.
This sure did hit home. Reminded me of the Florida estate sale I went to. I Never went to another one.
I don't know how people can sleep at night after acting like that. I would rather give, than fight over an item. My heart really went out to Leah. I'm so sorry that happened to you. Family should never treat one another that way. Family should help not harm. I invited my sister out one Saturday to yard sales. I told her I needed clothes for my rapidly growing lil man & I'd like her company. She said she didn't have money & it was too boring if she couldn't shop. Of course I offered to drive & pay for her items, so she went. I watched in shock as she grabbed piece after piece of boys clothing (in the sizes my son needed) for her grandson at every sale that offered them. Then turned to me for money to pay for them. Her grandson wore 2 sizes bigger than my son. Even though she broke my heart, how she continued to take away from my child. I handed her money over & over again. I never complained to her about it. Although they're few and far between, there are those that do just the opposite. I learned to admire my aunts lovely decor in silence, because if I said I liked things, she would gather all of them to send home with me through my husband. It's all in who we surround ourselves with. I've learned to choose more wisely ;)
Oh I should stop reading these stories, I get too steamed up.
Okay I just wrote and erased what my rebuttal would be to both Leah's and Aims stories. I don't feel better. Just wish I was around in those situations so I could be your body guards. Next time take me with you :))
Yep still steamed.
We would shop very well together, all three of us have different favorites to collect. But than again... AR would probably swoop in and buy up the Pyrex to gift to me. LoL
Agree ++++ with all of you!!!
Thanks for the Loves and the comments:
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The History behind the things we buy!!
Have always thought the same way any wear anybody possessions have been sold...so sad nobody in the family wants them...the thing that really bothers me is when I come across photo albums or frames that still have photos in them...:-( .....great post.:-)
oops!...sorry antiquerose that was meant to say...anywhere ...not!..any wear!....:-/
I remember reading this and commenting but never "loved" it . Ooops ! :) I can do that... just give things away and I do occasionally. I'd love to see all my treasures go to the people that appreciate them.We're all just the custodians for a short time.
Excellent post antiquerose, many thanks for share with us.
Full of deep feelings, reading my skin crawls.