Family Treasures

Last weekend my Dad and I traveled to Madison, West Virginia to prepare my grandparents home to sell. My Grandfather died last spring, and after living with my Dad for a year, my Grandmother is now in an Alzheimer’s unit at a nursing home here in Tuscaloosa. The sale of the house and property was already done, the money waiting to change hands, so we went up to retrieve the treasures my grandparents had left behind. I expected it to be a heart-wrenching trip. I cried for days before I even left. Never had a been away from Rob or Madison for 5 days straight and the thought of having to "divvy up" or dispose of family belongings made me physically sick to my stomach.

What I didn't expect was the good.


I was dreading the thirteen hour car-ride, but I wouldn't give a single second back because never in my 30 years have I ever had that much one-on-one time with my Dad. In the evening, we'd sit in the driveway, completely exhausted, and listen to the waters coming off the mountain. Dad told me stories of his life in the mines and as a paramedic. Stories of growing up and all the trouble he and his brother Sam got into. Stories of me and Laura when we were little. I soaked it all in.

I got to spent time with my Aunt and Cousins and their children, and I drove to Charleston one morning for brunch with my Great Aunt.

Driving back on Monday I realized that even as the back of the truck was loaded down with boxes of my Grandparents’ belongings, maybe the real treasure I was bringing back was the time spent with my family.


The mink trim from my Grandmother's coat

My Grandmother's sewing tags

War Ration Coupon Books (w/ coupons)

Hand crotched piece by my Great- Grandmother

A piece of my Grandmother's china

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