What do I do with sentimental items passed down

from loved ones?

  I hear this question a lot from my clients, so in this months e-tip I would like to give my suggestions and some solutions on this topic.

  Let me first say that these items are just that, THINGS.

They are not the person, they do not have blood running thought their veins. Sure, they remind you of the person, but do you need every single physical item they gave you for that memory?

  Wouldn't a picture of it work just as well?

  If something was given to you by a loved one, it was a gift, which is now yours to do with as you please. I know there are things that we just can't part with, so why not repurpose them?

For example;

  My husband had his deceased wife's fur muff from their wedding, so I had it made into a bear and gave it to my stepdaughter on the day our granddaughter was born.

  I also had some small glass Christmas ornaments that were my Dad's as a child. I remember we never put them on our Christmas tree because they were so fragile. So one year for a Christmas gift my husband framed them for me in a shadow box. It hangs in my dining room so I can see them and enjoy them year round.

  So think outside the box and come up with a clever way to display or show off these keepsakes.

  Ask yourself, am I holding on to these items to keep in storage or to appreciate them and the good memories they bring.

Joan Heath, owner of Organize It All is married with three grown children. As a previous single mother organizing was a must.

Over the years Joan has had variety of jobs in the medical and dental fields.

Joan has volunteered her organizing skills to several non-profit organizations including her church, where she set up a new kitchen and a quest services storage room.