This week's Weekly Word Challenge words are . . . you guessed it, junk and treasure.
This chicken belonged to my mother (does this sound familiar?). When my mom died I was executor of her belongings (my husband was the executor of the money), and it was a huge source of contention between my sister and me.
I didn't give her everything she wanted, and she was pissed. The reason I didn't give her much was that she had a track record of abandoning or ruining pretty much every nice thing my mom had ever given her. When someone's things are all you have left of them they take on a lot of meaning. I did give my sister this chicken though.
How did I get it back you ask? My sister lived in a house just around the corner from me (it was "acquired" through some sort of sub-prime lending scam involving multiple people and ending in foreclosure), when she was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2007. She wasn't paying for the house, plus there was an abusive boyfriend involved, so she moved from effectively abandoned the house the Saturday before Easter. A week later I drove by her former house and there was a garage sale going on. I stopped. I grabbed this chicken from the hands of a very startled woman and told the owner of the house that he "might think this was just a bunch of junk, but this belonged to my mother and I'm taking it."
What my sister considered junk to be left behind turned out to be a treasure to me.
Oh ... this story kinda made me feel sad. I'm glad you got the chicken back...
Posted by: Janet | March 26, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I'm sorry there are ill feelings associated with your mothers items, but you sure shared a beautiful sentiment, linking junk to treasure. Well done.
Posted by: Hilary | March 26, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Wow - obviously it was meant to be in your hands in the fist place.
Posted by: Don Mills Diva | March 26, 2008 at 10:03 AM
How is your sister today?
I can just picture your grabbing this out of someone's hands. What a sad crack up. The situation doesn't warrant laughter, but sometimes you have to look back on life an laugh.
KEEP BELIEVING
Posted by: Angie | March 26, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I am so glad you got the chicken. Why is it that the crackhead siblings think they're entitled to the same? My sister is always muttering about how I got half of Grandma's china (split the other half with my cousin). Well. Since she'd moved 8 times and no one knew her address when things were gifted, she was lucky to get anything at all!
The chicken seems like a blessed miracle to me. Now it comes with a story when it's passed on in 50 years:)
Posted by: Melissa | March 26, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I am so glad you got the chicken. Why is it that the crackhead siblings think they're entitled to the same? My sister is always muttering about how I got half of Grandma's china (split the other half with my cousin). Well. Since she'd moved 8 times and no one knew her address when things were gifted, she was lucky to get anything at all!
The chicken seems like a blessed miracle to me. Now it comes with a story when it's passed on in 50 years:)
Posted by: Melissa | March 26, 2008 at 10:59 AM
There is a lump in my throat after reading the story that goes with your picture.
Whoops! Here come the tears...
Posted by: kcinnova | March 26, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I have my grandmother's secretary in my diningroom. The drawers still smell like her house.
I can't picture my boys fighting over my priceless collection of...
Oh, whatever it was it will be long broken before I go. Or their wives will be saying "that?"
Posted by: Manic Mommy | March 26, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Your sister was a lot like my mom's sister. My mom always had to clean up the many messes her sister left behind, including leaving places unexpectedly and leaving everything she owned behind.
Although my great-grandma always made excuses for my aunt's behavior, she was wise enough to leave most valuables to my mom.
I admire your ability to walk up and take what rightfully belonged to you.
Posted by: ms_teacher | March 26, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Wow. What an empowering moment. You seized this true treasure from what someone thought to be a junk pile.
Posted by: Cheri | March 26, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Thank goodness you happened to catch the yard sale!
Posted by: Tootsie Farklepants | March 26, 2008 at 01:08 PM
I don't know why, but this made me incredibly sad. Sad mostly for your sister. I know it is just a chicken, but you clearly realized how much it meant to your mom.
I cherish so much of what my mom gives me because it represents pieces of her, her history. Ugh. Not to get all mushy, but my mom just made me her famous lamb cake for Easter. She wanted to send me her molds and I said NO! Not yet. I'm just not ready to think of her in terms of "her stuff" just yet . . .
Posted by: LaskiGal | March 26, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Wow Jenn. You have such depth behind your words. I'm really looking forward to meeting you.
Glad you got your treasure back.
Posted by: Jamie | March 26, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Jenn This is a great story. I am so glad you got it back!
Posted by: Suzanne | March 26, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Sometimes those small objects take on such meaning . . .
Posted by: The Mom Bomb | March 26, 2008 at 06:09 PM
that is a cool chicken.
i love the "this chicken belonged to my mother and i am taking it!" you go.
Posted by: kate | March 26, 2008 at 11:10 PM
I am so glad that you drove by at just the right time and retrieved that chicken. There are all kinds of memories tied up in that bird.
Posted by: Mrs. G. | March 26, 2008 at 11:47 PM
Things like that make my blood boil. I'm SO glad you got the chicken.
Posted by: Jennifer H | March 27, 2008 at 12:33 AM
This story made me feel sad, too. And stomach clenching. I'm so glad you got the chicken back! Thanks for sharing the story - painful as it may be.
Posted by: JCK | March 27, 2008 at 01:55 AM
I can't believe she left it! Thus proving your point about not giving her anything I guess. I'm glad you took it back.
Posted by: Tink | March 27, 2008 at 03:20 PM
The best and worst seems to come out of people over the death of a loved one. I'm sorry she gave you her worst, but I'm glad you got the best (treasures from our loved ones mean so much, don't they?).
Posted by: foolery | March 27, 2008 at 06:46 PM
I know what you mean. Things are all I have left of my mother as well. It is so sad about your sister. How is she now?
Posted by: Sharon | March 27, 2008 at 11:03 PM