Storytelling

May 30, 2013

Antiques consisting of pitch forks, hurricane lamps, wash/wringer tubs with a frame, leather hole punch, salsa pots with matching coal black lids, hall tree with built-in umbrella stand, Frank Lloyd Wright candlesticks, Fiestaware pitchers, hand carved Finnish cups, farm house essentials, oxen harnesses, and many other unique items I am sorting, pricing, dusting and packing for a future sale.

My father is such an eclectic and stimulating man who is interested in, but not limited to; politics, travel, history, economics, architecture and design, global issues, gardening, bird watching, hiking and biking, fitness, wood furniture, Finland, ecology, state issues, northern Minnesota, fly fishing and his family. Who has the energy to keep up with his 82 years?

Assisting people in managing collections from their lives is a humbling experience. Stories of their existence crops up with the shuffling of papers, photos, memorabilia, books, tapes, the smallest piece of jewelry can generate the greatest emotion. So much effort, time, energy packed into a single closet or file folder. Takes great patience, persistency and compassion to work through it all, piece-by-piece.

I honor my dad who is an incredible wealth of insight and tales of family history to divide amongst the inheritors. Besides the fact that he puts up with me and the hound visiting, invading his personal space, grilling him about the genealogy and helping myself to his stash of chocolate covered peanuts.