Welcome to Volume 4 of Clutter Tales, a series where we tell the stories of our lives through our clutter. Today, I have another guest post and it’s one that will be sure to bring a tear to your eye. This post comes from The Yorkshire Dreamer who shares the story of treasures she found when helping her Mum declutter that brought back memories of warm hugs from Grandma.

About today’s guest blogger

If you’re not familiar with The Yorkshire Dreamer, please check it out. On the blog, you’ll find “…somewhere where I can share my adventures, refine my writing and, hopefully, learn from the people who want to read what I write”. Please drop by and visit her blog. It’s a positive place full of inspirational tidbits that always bring a smile to my face.

The Yorkshire Dreamer’s Clutter Tale – Memories of the past for the future

Some items spark joy, some are functional necessities, and some items are just clutter. 

I live in a two-bedroom flat, so I feel like I am constantly decluttering or finding ways to make more space. Plus, I still have a few pieces back at my parents’ house! 

Introduction

Hello, I am The Yorkshire Dreamer! I am an avid reader of the Boomer Eco Crusader, especially the eco-friendly living section, as I’m always learning something new when I stop by to read a new blog post. 

Michelle reached out to me on Twitter, and I was so excited when she shared the concept of Clutter Tales! Plus, I have never written a guest post before, so this is very new for me. 

I had so many stories run through my mind! In true Yorkshire Dreamer style, this will be a bit of a ramble. 

Some items are more than just functional; they are sentimental possessions that transport you back in time. 

I want to share a clutter tale that happened a while ago but still warms my heart. It revolves around helping my mum declutter her collection of bedding and stumbling upon a pile of forgotten treasure. 

Finding forgotten treasure 

When I visit my parents, I often find myself assisting with a task or twenty. One task my mum and I love doing together is decluttering. She likes having someone there to help, and I love having a trip down memory lane as we uncover items from my childhood that I forgot. 

I remember one distinct declutter adventure, where my mum and I were sorting through her bedding, curtains and similar. We uncovered a series of knitted blankets, baby clothes and booties. 

Handmade items crafted by my late Grandma. Mum explained that Grandma had given them to her, intending to give them to us (her grandkids) when we were older. My siblings and I all knew about these items. But we were all under twenty at the time, so the concept of having kids was a far cry away from reality. 

Each little handmade item had a personal note attached for the intended grandchild as Grandma wanted to help in the future, even if she couldn’t be there in person. 

It felt like a tidal wave of emotion. The sorrow of not having my Grandma here, along with the memory of her laugh as she taught me about knit one, purl one and me failing miserably. All the sadness and pain were washed away. As I held onto a blanket she had knitted, the prominent memory of her love, her smile and the time we shared replaced any pang of sadness. 

She might not be here, but those memories aren’t sad; they are happy moments that shaped me, and thanks to her love, I can remind myself of her compassion and fun nature whenever I look at all her knitted creations. 

A treasure for the future 

The little collection of handmade items for the future reminded me of all the items that I use in my life now. 

Grandma knitted her family a lot of items! I have jumpers, cardigans, gloves, and blankets intended for double beds that are still intact after years of use. I know enough about knitting to repair any damages, or the bigger issues my sister sorts. (She grasped the concept of knitting way better than I did.)

Wrapping myself up in the bigger blankets she made reminds me of the hugs she gave whenever I saw her. It is like a piece of her is still here, and I will cherish that forever. 

I remember movie night when my Grandma would watch me, and I’d proudly bring down my knitted blanket as if to say, ‘look, Grandma, it’s the blanket you made’. I remember days when I was sick, and mum would bring me a knitted blanket, and I’d wrap myself up into a ball on the couch. I remember when I felt sad and how a knitted blanket made especially for me brought so much joy. 

Those little handmade baby clothes, booties and blankets sparked many uplifting memories about my Grandma and the other items she made, specifically for the people she loved. 

Plus, our family loves to save money, and the blankets are so warm I don’t need to put on the heating. 

Upcycling 

I will admit, I felt slightly guilty when I initially saw the knitted baby clothes intended for me if I had kids. I have no desire to have kids, so I felt like the clothes and blankets would go to waste, but I couldn’t get rid of them. 

I didn’t want them to be clutter or get shoved to the back of a wardrobe forever, so my mum and I came up with a solution. Turning them into a memorable piece of artwork by framing them. It sounds strange, but it would mean they wouldn’t be pushed aside and forgotten. Instead, they would be prominently displayed—a reminder of my memories with Grandma and her desire to be involved in my future. 

I cannot wait to frame them as it will be a way for her creativity and passion to be present in my future. A little token as though she is watching over me. 

Summary 

Some items spark joy, some are functional necessities, and some items are just clutter. My knitted handmade items made by my Grandma spark joy, transport me back in time and are certainly not clutter. 

The blankets, jumpers, gloves, scarves and more might take up a lot of room, but I am thankful that they are there. They are my little reminders that I am loved and will undoubtedly be with me for the rest of my life.  

Have you discovered anything while you were decluttering that tells a story? 

Additional note:

Thank you, Michelle, for having me guest post on your blog; I hope my Clutter Tale fits in with your phenomenal content! 

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Thanks again to The Yorkshire Dreamer for sharing this story with us. It definitely brought a lump to my throat.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of Clutter Tales. If you’d like to write a guest post for Clutter Tales, please get in touch. I’d love to give you the opportunity to properly thank your clutter by sharing its story too!

Do you have an item given to you by a loved one that brings back precious memories? Tell us about it below.