Hello dollies…thanks for joining me for this month’s Where Bloggers Live 05.2021: Let it Go. The title of today’s post might have you singing Disney songs, “Let it Go” from Frozen, in particular. But today, the ladies and I are talking about an article of clothing or something in our home that is past its life expectancy but for sentimental reasons we are unable to part with. Something we need to say ‘sayonara’ to but can’t.
If we are new friends, allow me an explanation about this series. Where Bloggers Live is kind of like HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” but…with bloggers! Each month I am always happy to see that my Where Bloggers Live posts are among my most popular. Probably because we are all a little curious about other people’s homes and lives. You can read my last Where Bloggers Live post, here, where we talked about places that are like home. Before that, in March, we shared some of our DIY projects. Of course, I featured my ever-loving mosaic for that edition. But guess what?? I finally finished that mosaic. Thank you, #100DayProject.
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WHERE BLOGGERS LIVE 05.2021
My home is filled with things that could easily satisfy the prompt for Where Bloggers Live 05.2021. There’s my dad’s wooden tennis racket (he died in 2012 and I haven’t played tennis in years). My mom’s childhood toys: a wooden gun, a tea set and little play oven. A rather flamboyant storytelling box filled with puppets for the stories I no longer tell in the library where I no longer work. The pieces I want to share with you though, in more detail, are two dollar store bride and groom figurines. Here’s their story.
Not Quite a Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, I met, at our apartment complex pool, a soldier who was also the single parent for his 4 year-old daughter. We became friends, and even babysat for each other when one of us would go out for a date or needed a little down time from parenting. Over the summer months, we got to know each other better and began a relationship which meant our daughters were tossed into relationships with each other.
There were plenty of red flags that this relationship was never going to thrive but I think both of us adults ignored them. The warnings were probably clearer to the kids and to everyone else looking in. After dating for about two years, we married. Had a little ceremony in the small house we bought together. Our girls in matching peach lace Jessica McClintock dresses, our parents and siblings looking on.
We had reserved a room at a fancy-for-us hotel and his mother agreed to keep his daughter overnight at our house and my parents agreed to watch my girls at their hotel. After a little reception with cake and goodies, we opened presents and then left for our honeymoon night.
Wedding Presents
My brother Kevin relayed the story of what happened next sometime the following day. He reported that when they took the girls back to the hotel where he, my sister and parents were staying, Brennyn and Lauren began crying. Or they were at least very upset because it seemed to them that everyone but them had given us a wedding gift. Ours was the first wedding they had attended and so they weren’t well versed in wedding etiquette.
My brother bundled up my daughters and took them to a dollar store to pick out a present with their allowance. Brennyn was 7 and Lauren was 5 so their piggy banks were not exceedingly full. They could afford these little bride and groom figurines when Kevin kicked in the tax.
They make me smile even now, 30 years later. Brennyn selected the more serious bride and groom which made sense because she was older and more grown-up. Lauren chose the more playful figurines. They remind me of her sweet innocence.
Not-so-Happy Ending
I kept these ceramic pieces on a shelf attached to a blanket rack that hung in the hallway leading to our master bedroom. Along with other keepsakes and mementos the girls had given me over time. I hung my grandmother’s patchwork quilts from the rack.
One night as we were sitting down to dinner there was a load crash and the sound of breaking glass. We never figured out how but the blanket rack fell from the wall where it was hanging. Most of the other fragile ceramic things that had been on the shelf broke when they hit the tile floor. However, these figurines did not. Not even a chip.
Our marriage was not so fortunate, though. It wasn’t too much longer after that we separated. And we were divorced shortly before our tenth wedding anniversary.
Hind sight is 20-20 and looking back now, knowing things I didn’t realize then, we should never have married in the first place. My hope that we could blend into one happy family was never to be. While we did have some happy days, and there was a good deal of love, it wasn’t enough to overcome the obstacles.
Let It Go
One of the goals I set for myself this year was to begin to part with things. Stuff that is just sitting about on shelves in my bedroom, and my loft. Most of it little trinkets I have been given by my daughters, students and friends. I’ve read Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. And for several years now, have signed up for Taylor’s 52 Weeks to an Organized Home. I would argue that our home is pretty well organized and generally tidy most of the time. ‘Tis the season where I currently find myself in the process of spring cleaning every room from top to bottom. Starting with our bedroom.
Today these little figurines sit on a wrought iron shelf in the corner of the master bedroom I share with my Prince C.
They don’t take up much space and aren’t difficult to dust.
If memory serves, I believe Brennyn was a little concerned that the bride on her pair of newlyweds is blonde. And I haven’t been blonde for about 60 years.
Likewise, Lauren’s bride is quite a bit younger than I was on that long ago wedding day. Hopefully, a little more pleasantly plump, too.
Their gold paint makes them look ‘fancy’ and expensive, don’t you think? Even if they aren’t, they are worth so much to me. Priceless gifts of love. They make me smile.
This spring, as I began my room-by-room cleaning, I considered ‘decluttering’ our master bedroom by giving these figurines away. After all, they are mementos of another lifetime. One I don’t relish remembering. One that probably never should have been.
Spark of Joy
When I pick up these keepsakes and hold them in my hands, in true Marie Kondo fashion, they do bring me joy.
They return me to a day of happiness when I was surrounded by loved ones, especially my darling daughters. They remind me that through it all, it has always been the 3 of us. Three girls on the boom-boom. As Lauren used to say when she wasn’t much older than her daughter Cami is now.
Another Year’s Reprieve
Held these little dolls in my hands again yesterday. Carefully wiped the dust from them and reminisced for a moment. Then returned them to their places on my book shelf. Giving them another year’s reprieve. They may have exceeded their life expectancy but I am not ready to say goodbye to them just yet.
YOUR TURN
Do you have a similar keepsake or maybe a favorite piece of clothing that you just can’t seem to let go of? You might remember the shoes I wore in my last Ageless Style post. Gifts from PC when we first started dating. They hold a special place in my heart just like these statuettes. And just like my bride and groom dolls, those strappy sandals won’t be going anywhere in the near future.
Hope you will run by to visit the blogs of my comadres for their Where Bloggers Live 05.2021 post. I am anxious to read what it is they just can’t let go of.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Glad for your visit. Hope you have something special planned for the weekend. We have baseball on Saturday and I am hoping to get back to church on Sunday.
Hugs and kisses,
Christie Hawkes
I love this story more than I can say Leslie. I understand the need to declutter and that sometimes it is right to give away something even if it is difficult. However, it sounds like in this case the joy you get from these figurines is worth the small amount of space that they take up. As for me, I have a really hard time getting rid of things that loved ones gave me and photos of people…like old school pictures…even when I have multiple copies of the same ones. Somehow it feels disloyal or unloving. Weird, I know…and not practical at all.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I agree with struggling to toss out old pictures. I have a bin under my bed with pictures of people I don’t even know!! Long lost relatives that no one can identify anymore. So sad. I am thinking of scanning them into my computer and then tossing the prints. But not sure I can.
Thank you sweet Christie for the sweet comment. You made my day.
notinjersey
This is such a sweet story. It’s great that you still have these figures!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much. I am thankful that because I closed this chapter of my life, I was able to find PC and start my happily ever after.
Jodie
I see no reason to part with such wonderful items that you love. I hear what you say about the decluttering and such, but I also have to remind myself that just because that works for one person, does not make it right for everyone!!!
And it’s such a heartwarming story to think that your daughters wanted to give you such treasures.
Hindsight is always 20/20 but we learn so much in the process.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are so wise. My BFF has a beautiful, streamlined, decluttered home but I am not that person!! Ha!! Thank you for that reminder.
Retirement Reflections
What a beautiful, well-told story, Leslie. I say that those figurines are definite keepers!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much, Donna. Have decided my little bride and groom figurines are part of my history and not going anywhere.
laurabambrick
Those sweet mementos are memories of your daughters’ love and care for you! I think it says a lot about children when they think about others and want to give gifts to them. Every step in your journey brought you closer to your happy ending with PC! 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay!! Yes, it did!!
Nancy
What s lovely story ! Not the mariage part of course, but it is a lovely story. Gold on to the figurines for another few years!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sugar foot!! Holding onto to my figurines forever, I guess.
Amy Johnson
Such a lovely story. I don’t really struggle with getting rid of things. I think of who else they would bless if I donate them.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aww, that is the way I have begun looking at passing along clothes. It is nice to take to the consignment shop to make a little $ back on their purchase but I also like thinking that maybe someone who needs the clothes will find them and get much joy and pleasure and use from them.
IrisOriginals
Ahhh, sweet story. Aren’t the gifts from our children special. I still have some of those long ago things that I wouldn’t dream of parting with. Thanks for sharing your story.
Grace & Peace, Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, those gifts surely are.
Bri
Leslie, thanks for opening up on here and sharing this story with us! It was sweet to read and I love that you still have those figurines all these years later.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, my darling friend. Going to keep my figurines forever, I guess.
Dust and Doghair
Oh! What sweet daughters you have! I love how the figurines have taken on an entirely different meaning; they started as a gift to commemorate your marriage, they ended up being mementos of treasured, thoughtful daughters who wanted to show their mama how much she means to them. It’s also pretty special that PC sees it that way, too. Lovely!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, doll. My figurines are here to stay.
Dust and Doghair
🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰
Leslie Roberts Clingan
XOXOXO
Daenel Vaughn-Tucker
What a sweet story. I don’t think I’d part with them… They were gifts from two sweet little girls who loved you dearly.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! Have decided my figurines are here for the duration!!
Fashion Schlub
Oh gosh, you can’t EVER get rid of THOSE! At the very most (least?), give them back to your daughters as a remembrance.
I love all these stories. I especially love the ones that start (like yours) with “EVERYTHING in my home falls under this category!”
xoxo Bettye
Leslie Roberts Clingan
This was such a great prompt for Where Bloggers Live. Thank you for thinking of it. I think everyone shared such a special story.
Jennifer
Not sure I could part with those either. So many conflicting memories that come with them – but mostly the love from your girlies! They look very sweet in their spot among the other things. Thanks for sharing your story…it made my heart smile:) Have a great week, ahead!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aww, glad you left here with a happy heart!!
Deb
Oh you most definitely do need to keep those figurines – they are part of your history and more than that, were chosen with love for you from your girls. The fact that they survived that accidental fall is proof that they are destined to be saved for the future!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Yay!! Glad you agree. I am going to keep them and when I have moved on, the girls can decide their fates.
leannelc
Well that wasn’t what I was expecting from a “let it go” post Leslie! I’m glad you chose to hold onto them for their sentimental value and I hope you found a few less precious things to part with instead. I find that most of the “trinkets” I own have a story attached to them – if they don’t, they’ve been let go over the years because we’re pretty minimalist in our decorating – less to dust!
Kristin
Oh my goodness. This is such a sweet story, so open and honest. I love that you still have them in your life and that your daughter’s took such care picking them out. I don’t know if I’d part with them either. Sometimes it’s worth keeping these little keepsakes. xoxo
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!! And when the time comes, my daughters can take the figurine they purchased (or toss it).
thisblondesshoppingbag
I cannot part with gifts given by my children. I hope your little figurines stay with you forever, such a sweet gesture by your girls. I feel so much better when I rid the house of clutter and it is making me rethink purchases, but those old, special items hold a special place in my heart!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Glad I am not alone. I have parted with a few things the girls have given me but not much. Too precious.
canderson814
What a beautiful story. Such precious treasures from two girls who love you very much.
My house is very cluttered but everything has a story. It was given to me by a friend or my parents or grandparents. It’s hard for me to get rid of things but I need to take a leap and just do it!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much. Love that your house is filled with special things. I am beginning to be able to let go of some stuff. Especially when I can think that someone else will put whatever it is to better use than I.
dousedinpink
Even though the circumstances did not work out I can see why these are special to you. Such a sweet gift from your girls. I would want to keep them too!
Jill – Doused in Pink
natashajk
I can see why you don’t want to get rid of these figurines. They are a gift of love from your two lasting loves who have been there with you through it all. In this case, it really is more about the giver than the reason for the gift. Enjoy the joy they bring every time you see them and keep them in your life. And thank you so much for sharing that story — it touched me this morning.