walking I hear the echo of someone else's steps

[crows_roost]

I'm wearing someone else's shoes today. They fit me very well. Their someone else is gone now.

We haunted two estate sales this last weekend. We wandered through houses that had been homes, filled with the parts of lives that were left behind; leftover things that were either unneeded or unwanted by those who loved the people who had gone on. It was an unsettling journey. In both cases (running my hands over handmade quilts, standing face upturned to the afternoon light through stained glass windows, reading the spines of well cared for books, trying on fine wool sweaters, and these beautiful Italian shoes) I had this very strong knowledge that I would have been friends with these folks had we met.

I find myself wanting to celebrate these people who have died, who I only know through the things they left behind.

Comments

[roaming.livejournal.com]

Reminds me that when my mother died, I kept only one thing: a ring with very small green gems in the shape of leaves. Other than that, my mother and I had very different taste in decor, and there was nothing I wanted to keep, gave it all away, including stuff I could have sold (a baby grand piano, a dining room set, a bedroom set). (Well, the piano would have cost me an arm and a leg to have removed anyway. The local charity did all the grunt work getting it down stairs and out a door. Priceless!)

I hear about relatives of deceased folk fighting, even going to court, over the deads' possessions. "That's all I have left of Aunt Bess, I have to HAVE it!" as though that will keep their loved one near. If one can't remember a loved one in one's heart. . . ? I don't know. It's just stuff.

When I'm dead, though, I'm not letting go of my "stuff"! ;-P I love my handblown glass pumpkin and my acorn collection too much. It's getting cremated with me!

(Just kidding. I won't know of care where it goes.)

[kareina.livejournal.com]

I think it is delightful that you get to know the glimpse of them from what they left--just because you didn't actually get to meet in person doesn't mean you didn't get to become their friend, however briefly.

[fjorlief.livejournal.com]

this reminds me of a favorite Cheryl Wheeler song "Estate Sale":
http://youtu.be/BdDrrChPwz0

I learned this song by heart, and would sing it with my old, late friend Larissa, who also thought it both poignant and funny...

[mafirilo.livejournal.com]

I hope the folk I leave behind are as thoughtful and respectful as you.