“Who’ll gimme twenty, gimme twenty?”
“Didn’t your parents ever throw anything away!”
Dave’s comment broke my concentration on the auctioneer’s song. I glanced his way, but he was moving toward another table loaded with the treasures of my parents’ lives.
They didn’t throw things away. If it broke, they fixed it. If they grew tired of it, they stored it away in the attic. Struggling to get by, making ends meet, putting food on the table, was how they lived their lives.
The younger generation didn’t understand, but I remembered the stories.
And this is how it ends.
This is an entry to a weekly 100 word writing challenge sponsored by Friday Fictioneers. You can find more information at the link below.
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/7-february-2014/
Retired Ruth 
Always best to live one’s dream…not someone else’s. At least that way one person’s happy…instead of two being miserable. Good story!
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And my son calls me a hoarder. He doesn’t get it either.
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A great story with a lovely lesson 🙂
To throw old things away is to shut off a whole world for yourself that’s what I believe 🙂
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Great and much needed reminder 🙂 just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s useless and even if it’s new it might be lacking in quality 🙂 Cheers
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There’s something really satisfying about repairing an item and beating the throw-away system. Great reminder.
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To value things or people has become a thing of the past-sadly!We are now living in a materialistic world and the whole world is obsessed with “owning” new things-consumerism is eating into our wallets and heart!A sweet story with a lovely lesson in it-enjoyed reading it”:-)
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There was a time when a person’s watch was passed down to his son. Loved this piece.
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Beautiful story. The parents sound like lovely hardworking people who had a value for everything 🙂
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I understand. Pretty much like my parents… Cool write.
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The days of the repair shops have gone into the annuals of history that’s for sure. I think out throw away society all began with the credit card! Wonderful story with an excellent point.
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It’s a shame that household items (and most other things, for that matter) today are scarcely sturdy enough to repair and keep using. I’m currently contemplating how to repair a coffee table now missing its glass top without spending a fortune on custom-cut glass. Paper mache is my current notion, but the mess will probably have to wait until it warms up outdoors. The task has me wondering if the project is even worth it for a 40-year-old bamboo table. So sad.
Cheers!
Marie Gail
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right … on!
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These parents must have had a lot of stuff. I like the way your story flows.
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I am a keeper – I keep anything that I imagine that I may or may not need in the future. I don’t throw stuff away, but will give to Salvation Army or Good Will. Good story! Thanks, reminds me of my mother too!
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There is much that can be learned from our elders. The value of hard work and fixing something instead of simply discarding it. I was raised like this and am ever grateful I love frugally and can make a penny go a long way. Great story.
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Wow very powerful!
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I fear that my own kids will say the same of me one day! I am prone to tucking things in corners… rather than letting go of them. Something to work on. Your story really evokes this sad time of passing things on and loss. Nice job!
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Wonderful story and so true.
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A story after my own heart. Hugs galore for sharing…
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Great story imagine the treasures to be found.
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I enjoyed this story. It reminded me of my parents and other people of their generation. I probably see myself too.
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me too… we had great role models!
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The generations before were believed in making things last. I think that applies to material objects as well as relationships. Wonderful story!
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so true….
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So true, especially with the older generations as my parents did also…Their lives in objects.
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Yep, they were great teachers.
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a very real piece. i like investing in quality things so that i can keep them for years 🙂 that’s the real way to save money. nicely done.
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Good advice… buy quality.
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Nicely done. Throwing things away is a discipline that I’ve let go of recently.
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I have been trying to throw away lately. I find it difficult.
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Nice story. We are too quick to throw away things these days, especially ones that could easily be fixed.
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I, too, and guilty….often it’s not feasible anymore. Cheaper to buy new.
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Dear Ruth,
I, too, remember my parents’ stories of growing up in the Great Depression. My mom never threw away an aluminum plate and even laundered foil for baked potatoes.
Lovely story. As you see it brought back memories for this baby boomer.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hurray! I have discovered that when my stories trigger memories in others, it makes me very happy! Blessings to you.
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I don’t think the younger generation understands a lot about frugal living. Nicely done!
janet
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Many do not understand. Thanks for the comment!
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