3 ms·

My grandmother had an oriental rug that no one was allowed to step on. For 40 years she tried to keep this rug pristine because she was going to sell it one day

My grandmother had an oriental rug that no one was allowed to step on. For 40 years she tried to keep this rug pristine because she was going to sell it one day. Anytime any of us grandchildren or even the eventual great grandchildren stepped on it, they would get a harsh scolding. She died never having sold that rug, but after her death there was a lot of fighting over who would get the thing. It tore our family apart, the arguing over it. Finally the victor took it to an auction house to get it appraised and sold. It was worthless. They put it up for auction and no one wanted it. Eventually the auction house asked us if we wanted them to dispose of it for a fee. I think about this a lot when I consider letting go of material possessions. That rug has become sort of a symbol to me, of the encumbering nature of our possessions. Or maybe it was just a conduit for my grandmother’s undiagnosed mental health issues. Either way I try to live with fewer things in my life these days.

im3w1l 5y ago
Specialness fascinates me. And the pointless rituals that goes along with it. They have a strong effect on us, which in some sense makes them not pointless. Like placebo, inert in itself, but effective because we make it so. It's a good story, and if not for the arguments over who would get it, I could see it having been a nice anchor to remember eccentric old grandma.
weq 5y ago
Watching shows like pawn stars, or american pickers, or car sos, you see many ways that these types of though processes can play out. So many people goto the grave never getting around to there hopes and dreams. To the day they die. Often the familys of these people have no idea what todo with these posessions, and its interesting how often their the most treasured item ends up being the least appreciated asset of there estate.

im3w1l 5y ago

Specialness fascinates me. And the pointless rituals that goes along with it. They have a strong effect on us, which in some sense makes them not pointless. Like placebo, inert in itself, but effective because we make it so. It's a good story, and if not for the arguments over who would get it, I could see it having been a nice anchor to remember eccentric old grandma.

weq 5y ago

Watching shows like pawn stars, or american pickers, or car sos, you see many ways that these types of though processes can play out. So many people goto the grave never getting around to there hopes and dreams. To the day they die. Often the familys of these people have no idea what todo with these posessions, and its interesting how often their the most treasured item ends up being the least appreciated asset of there estate.