Given with love

Or they would have been, if the giver was present on earth still.

These cups and the teapot were a collection from grandma and granddad. Mum saw them while she and her sisters were going through the house sorting out what should go to whom and she thought I'd like them: I do. Thank you dear grandparents, I'll look after them.

The picture behind is from my great grandmother. It's older than me, and I remember it hanging on her wall and I loved it, so I got a chance to claim it. Thank you dear Hannah.

It is a little troubling, taking items that belonged to my grandparents. In a way it's as though if I don't take anything, it never happened and they are still there. The reality is that if I had taken nothing, it would have been sold or given to someone who has no knowledge of the memories associated with that item and who wouldn't look after it in the same way and might damage it or throw it away.

I'm taking the opportunity to treasure memories.