The Estate Sale!

 A couple of months ago, I attended my first estate sale. I had seen the flyers advertising the hours and was curious about what it would be like. Although I’ve lived in the U.S. for a number of years, this was a new experience for me.

When I stepped inside the house, I found myself walking through a life frozen in time. The house belonged to someone who had recently passed away, and everything had to be sold before the property went on the market.

There was stuff everywhere. It didn’t take long to realize that this person had likely traveled the world—there were souvenirs from all over. I noticed clothing with price tags still attached, scarves, purses, shoes still in their boxes, and university merchandise - also untouched; kitchen brimming with platters, dishes, and vases. Judging by all the items, I assumed a single woman must have lived there. Perhaps she had attended a prestigious university, or maybe it was her children who had.

I picked up a few items, but something stopped me from taking them home. I ended up buying only a university cap for a couple of bucks since my children attended the same school and it would come in handy when we go to attend a game or something. As I wandered through the rest of the house, I couldn’t help but wonder. Did she live alone? Did she have children? If she did, why didn’t they want her belongings?

The thought haunted me; one day, my own children could find themselves in this very position—sorting through the things I’ve spent a lifetime accumulating.

The experience stayed with me, stirring questions far beyond material possessions. A few days later, I spoke with a friend who had held an estate sale after her mother passed away. She’s an only child, and she explained how her house was already overflowing with her own things. She couldn’t hold onto much of her mom’s belongings and ended up selling items for pennies and then donating a truckload.

Her story resonated deeply. I started looking around my own home with new eyes. The piles of books I haven’t read, the clothes I’ve outgrown, the knick knacks collecting dust—they suddenly felt less like treasures and more like burdens my children might one day have to deal with.

As first-generation immigrants, we started our lives here with just two suitcases. In the beginning, everything we bought was intentional, it was useful things we needed. But over the years, we’ve accumulated so much stuff —souvenirs from our travels, kitchen items because they were on sale and don’t know when we might need them, winter coats for that one time it’s going to snow and yes, those four boxes labeled “Christmas Stuff.” When I asked my three children if they would want any of it, their response was unanimous: No.

Going to the Estate Sale was a wake-up call. I was at Costco last month and had hoarded my cart with shoes as they were on clearance but ended up putting them back. They did bring me joy but I’m learning not to buy things at all unless they truly serve a purpose. I had at least one “Yeah Me” moment.

The Estate sale reminded me that at the end of it all, what truly matters isn’t the stuff we leave behind. It’s the love, stories, and moments we pass on.

My new year’s resolution is to collect memories, not stuff and get rid of all the things which nobody wants.

Have you made a resolution for this year?

"The best things in life aren’t things." – Art Buchwald

 

                                                  Image generated via Meta AI.