Living a long time in good health is wonderful, but puzzling. For example, when do you pass things along to the next generation? Do you replace old things that might keep going as long as you do? When is it safe to give away some of your money? I have been fortunate enough to have been given precious pieces of family furniture, handmade items, and some jewelry. I have long planned to pass these things on to the next generation. But I’m living so long that my relatives need to have these things before they land in the nursing home along with me.
My faithful old car is now 11 years old. Should I get a new one or wait to see if this one will see me on through? I hate to buy a new car and then, poof, can’t drive anymore! But on the other hand, it might be fun to see if I can handle all the new electronics. So, I Googled it. I wish I hadn’t! First answer was, “A 95-year-old person should not have a car.” Another piece of advice was that “Older people should always buy a used car.” Since I already have a used car, I guess I won’t buy another car.
Being the only daughter with a daughter, my Grandmother’s bedroom suit was given to me in 1990, when the home place was sold. I always loved the story of its purchase. Grandmother and Grandaddy lived in Winnsboro, and in about 1905, they went to Columbia in a two-horse wagon to buy this furniture. They had twelve children and the last of the crew was born in this bed. It is now going right away to my niece who is building a new house. Anybody have an extra bed?
I have my mother-in-law’s gold thimble given to her Feb. 23, 1922, on her 21st birthday. I love it so much! I will wait and pass it on from my deathbed. I also have her watch that is worn on a long chain. Since I don’t wear it, I should see who would like it and would actually wear it. I hate to see abandoned jewelry just sitting in a drawer.
I recently passed out a handful of my husband’s knives that had surfaced. The boys seemed to like that, and all the knives disappeared. That was a good thing.
I will continue for a couple more years to wear the watch that was given to him by the SC Attorney General’s Office. Maybe using the phone for everything or the fad to use an Apple Watch will pass and people will wear a watch again.
I will have to see who wants which quilt and which yo-yo spread. They are the wrong size for today’s beds, but they are good looking and represent hours of work. The older ones were made from their worn out clothes and leave a record of the type of print dresses they wore. The same niece is positioned for the 1880s crazy quilt that no one ever knew who made. I bring it out every Christmas!
I have a very interesting heavily carved chest from Guam that should go to the oldest daughter or the oldest son. The daughter is the closest, so that may settle it!
I also have my grandmother’s dough table. I remember seeing her use it to make biscuits. I guess I will keep that until I begin to feel sick.
I have started a list of the history of the pieces and to whom they should go. That’s a good thing, and maybe that’s enough for the time being, as I’m feeling pretty good!
Jeanette Smith, 95, a Blythewood resident, has been active in the community’s civic affairs for over 50 years.