My uncle's old pocket watch made me rethink what 'value' means in our family

At a reunion in Omaha last year, my uncle showed us a simple silver pocket watch from 1910. Everyone else was talking about its price at auction, but he told us it was his grandpa's only item from his first job in America. The story of him saving for it mattered more than any number. Now I ask about the person, not the price, when we look at old things. Does your family focus more on the money or the memory with heirlooms?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_reese22h ago

You mentioned asking about the person, not the price. That reminds me of my aunt's chipped mixing bowl. We all know it's from a grocery store, but it's the one she made every birthday cake in. The story baked into it is what we keep.

chen.jade21h ago

Totally! I read a piece about how museums now list the stories behind objects before their estimated value.