I Felt Like I was at Home.
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
June 8, 2011 12:52pm CST
I went to my daughter's new apartment for the weekend and as we walked in, I remarked how much I felt at home. She giggled and asked me to look around. I honestly had not realised that I had given her so many of my belongings.
Yes, those were my prints and paintings on the walls. The antique end table was mine together with the beautiful lamp that was on the table.
Oh and the cushions had once belonged to me. The place mats and cutlery she was using came from me and also the coffee table. The storage jars were once mine and the kitchen utensils too.
I had forgotten that I had given her the remnants from my wedding china.
Then let us not even talk about bed linen and towels!
She is acquiring my antique china closet that had belonged to her great grandmother but in return I get all her Mahogany dining room furniture as the table is an 8 seater and cannot fit in her apartment. So I get a sideboard as well as a china closet - got the best of this swap.
Have your children gradually acquired your home?
Then let us not even talk about bed linen and towels!
She is acquiring my antique china closet that had belonged to her great grandmother but in return I get all her Mahogany dining room furniture as the table is an 8 seater and cannot fit in her apartment. So I get a sideboard as well as a china closet - got the best of this swap.
Have your children gradually acquired your home?8 people like this
18 responses
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
8 Jun 11
My daughter’s house reminds me of past work..lol. She has a lot of furniture from the model home sales from communities where I sold new homes. She really has some very, very nice pieces at a fraction of their cost. Also quite a few accessories I also purchased from the sales. Agents usually get first pick on the furniture when a community is sold out. It's a very nice perk.
Then she also has crystal and pots and pans and other stuff from my Mom, so I am reminded of Mom and work . 
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Jun 11
That is a definite perk! I did not know of that. My daughter is eyeing my few crystal glasses and some really lovely dark green flutes that I bought at a sale. I told her that I have to die first before she gets them
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
8 Jun 11
i LOVE the idea that Rachel likes your things. MY dil's are so different in their tastes. One of mine would like my things & one wouldn't. The one that wouldn't got rid of my grandmother's table & chairs when they moved in their nre home. I didn't like that at all & wish my son had stood up to her about getting rid of his great grandmother's things.My oldest likes antiques , my youngest doesn't not like perry & i do anyway. I have bought both of them quite abit but haven't given them that much out of my house.Alot of the things i have bought the one dil has not shown up in her new house so i have quit buying. Of course i'm not out & about like i use to be either but wouldn't buy her anything if i was.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Jun 11
I am laughing at your last comment but really if she did not want your antique furniture then she should have given it back to you when she moved. That is such a shame. antique furniture never goes out of date. I have a wonderful mahogany dresser that is from the 1890's that she adores too. What is there not to like? A good antique piece will fit in with modern furniture too. sometimes, I just touch the wood qand think of all those people who touched the same wood. Yeh. Am silly!1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
9 Jun 11
i DON'T HAVE A DINING ROOM. I have my grandmother's kitchen table in my kitchen. Wouldn't take anything for it. I don't have too many family pieces , i bought most everything i had when i was antiquing all the time. I was my best customer, lol. Have a good night. HUGS.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
9 Jun 11
I wish that I had my GM's kitchen table
. I would talk and she would listen whilst making pastry or just fixing a meal. I loved her so much.
I got more love from her than anyone else
. I would talk and she would listen whilst making pastry or just fixing a meal. I loved her so much.I got more love from her than anyone else1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Jun 11
Aww, that is awesome, to see that your things won't be going to any strangers..:) As far as my children, only my one daughter has a piece of my furniture and that is a vanity I had given her a couple years ago. It's in her bedroom, so when I go over there, it isn't like I see it, but I know she is enjoying it..:)
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Jun 11
Watch out that she doesn't take too much or you'll be left with an empty house.. J/K...That is awesome that you have similar tastes, because that means she won't allow your things to be taken by just anyone and she'll respect your wishes..:)
J/K...That is awesome that you have similar tastes, because that means she won't allow your things to be taken by just anyone and she'll respect your wishes..:)@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Jun 11
Yes, I am so blessed that she treasures the few antiques that I have left. She will look after them and pass them down. What is odd is that we wear the same colour without knowing what the other person is wearing. For example when she collected me from the coach station we were both wearing orange tops and hen we changed to go to dinner at her future in laws we were both wearing white tops. We just looked at each other and laughed.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Jun 11
I am glad that she is enjoying it. I downsized and she can have what I am not using. We have similar tastes and she bb's me this morning asking if she could have a few antique plates that I have displayed on the walls as she wants to display them too.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
20 Jun 11
Hi ya Cynth
No wonder you felt right at home if she had half your homes contents in her own home haha. As my kids are no where near leaving home I have not as yet given my kids anything but have told my eldest that when he moves out the snake has to go with him as it is his and will live up to about 40 years, it is only about 4 years old now hahaha, told him that he had better find himself a girl that likes snakes hahaha
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
20 Jun 11
I only have one thing to say. If he was my husband he would not be bringing a snake into out=r home,. Non negotiable
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
24 Jun 11
It means to say that your daughter appreciates what you once have. Her taste is the same as you. You should be proud that she took it after you , when it comes to taste of furnitures etc.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
24 Jun 11
hi cynthiann thats really cute. If she likes your stuff and is happy with it, why not.
Has hot happened to me, though, when I moved out into my first rented apartment. I took my old furniture from my room with me as living room furniture and bought some book shelves to match what was there already, but as my taste in furniture greatly differs from my mothers taste I got some nice stuff from the local furniture shop and also from IKEA. LOL.
then when I got married we just combined what we had, relying on my husbands stuff mainly as his was in better shape than my stuff.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
24 Jun 11
I just love IKEA! I have used my own furniture but was glad that we inherited beautiful furniture from my husband's family when I moved to Jamaica. I like to mix the antique with the new. To me it just looks so tasteful
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
24 Jun 11
sadly the next IKEA is over one hour drive from us so we never went and had to make do with the stuff from a local furniture shop which is not even half as nice.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
10 Jun 11
It is a lovely 2 bed 2 bath apartment and the patio outside is huge with a view of the harbour so she can see the ships coming and going plus she can look down on part of the city. Really great. Her view will always be changing. Thanks for the compliments
@liquidblot (175)
• Singapore
10 Jun 11
hahas, its interesting how the parents always give so many of their old stuff to their children, turning yet another house into their creation
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
10 Jun 11
Yes, I think most parents try to help their children set up home
@goodtimegirl (73)
• Philippines
10 Jun 11
wow. this is so heartwarming really. i wish my daughter would also take with her my stuff some of which i have inherited from my grandmother, wedding gifts, my mom's china...i could feel your daughter's love for you. congratulations cynthiann and wish you and your daughter endless happy moments. :)
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
9 Jun 11
No wonder you felt at home, half the stuff is yours lol! It is nice that your daughter is using the things you gave her and the swap you agreed on sounds like a fair one and in your favour! My daughter is only nine years old but no doubt when the time will come she too will be relying on mum and dad’s help in setting up home! I guess it is all part of the journey as a parent to pass our things on. I would rather see her enjoy them while I’m still here then when I am long gone!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
9 Jun 11
Yes, she probably will and then you will find out that you really don't need 12 spatulas and things like that I had downsized and believe me so many things still packed under the bed
I had downsized and believe me so many things still packed under the bed1 person likes this
@Angelgirl16 (2171)
• United States
9 Jun 11
I think it is such a great thing when we can look at our grown up children and see ourselves, especially the positive parts. You daughter obviously have acquire her mother good qualities. I am happy to hear that she thinks very highly of you that she would decorate her apartment with so many memories of you; maybe she wants to feel close to you when you are not there visiting with her. My daughter lives in California, but we video conference often; not only does she have my positive qualities she is looking more and more like her mom, me. I love it.
I am happy to hear that she thinks very highly of you that she would decorate her apartment with so many memories of you; maybe she wants to feel close to you when you are not there visiting with her. My daughter lives in California, but we video conference often; not only does she have my positive qualities she is looking more and more like her mom, me. I love it.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
14 Jun 11
No they have not, because mine are still very young.
But I do like your story(post). Of having your children take most of your things. Maybe it says, they've also gone accustomed to these things because it reminds them of their growing up years. And as a parent, I think that speaks volumes!
Maybe my kids would get my things too!
Aside from all of my money, of course!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
14 Jun 11
lol! Well they will end up with the land and house but I have to die first
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
9 Jun 11
My daughter still stays with me but she has already taken some of m possession. She now uses my working table and the musical jewelry box I had as a gift from her dad. She also has now my one pair of earrings which I have when I am still in college. But I had her skinny jeans which she only wear once and I am glad it fits me. I have her old notebook while she's using her new one. I am also amazed with what you have shared. It is now that I realized, something beautiful has been taking place me and my daughter...the swapping as you called it. But it is more than swapping possessions, but the bonds between us as I realized now is much deeper than I thought! Thanks for this wonderful thoughts. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
9 Jun 11
Yes, the bonds are there and will always be there no matter that she is getting married. No matter where she is in the world she calls at night to tell me goodnight. I gave her my engagement ring and the diamonds in that will be part of her wedding ring. I am a widow.
@Jinrai (28)
• Netherlands
11 Jun 11
I'm not a parent, but as a guy who moved out one year ago, it's safe to say
that the things I got from my home are the ones most cherished..
we're all sentimental/nostalgic in this way I think.
Nice to hear you're having a good time visiting your daughter :)
Regards,
@mansha (6298)
• India
9 Jun 11
Oh! that's so sweet, I have my mom's clothes too, its lovely feeling her around me all the time as she is now no more. But i do remember borrowing her stuff all the time and after marriage I got all my utensils from her, we skipped buying stuff and just took what she had to spare. I wonder if she felt so too. I still have her cupboard and now my brother is giving me her furniture too. SO now I will feel right at home with the familiar things around me.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
9 Jun 11
Having the things around me knowing that they were used by husband's family from past generations gives me joy and I think that Rachel feels the same way. I am glad that you are getting some of the furniture too
@GardenGerty (160615)
• United States
8 Jun 11
No, my daughter does not have a lot of the things that were mine, other than tools in the garage. I think it is nice that your daughter has a lot of things that were yours. My son has moved back into my home, so I guess this does not apply to him at all.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Jun 11
My house is small GG and I used to rotate the paintings etc but I cannot use what I have so she can have it with my love. No - the sn moving back home does not count
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
8 Jun 11
Yes...I am trying to downsize...so many things are given when they visit...my daughters anyway...my son isn't into all of that. But the girls love it when they get something and it's even better when it's something that belonged to Grandpa or grandma!
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
8 Jun 11
It gives them a sense of continuity - the passing along of things that once belonged to their relatives.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
8 Jun 11
yes i think that happens, plus, my one daughter ended up with mine and my moms home. yes most everything you mentioned and then some. 