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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Holding on to things for years	Chas	Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Question: Is it good to hang on to things for sentimental reasons. For example, I have about 50 very old 78 rpm records, some of which were recorded in the 20's and 30's. They used to belong to my aunt who died at the age of 98 some 10 years ago. I know they're probably worth a lot to someone but I don't know if I really want to get rid of them. I have only one child, actually he just got married, who really has no interest in keeping these records as I would have liked to pass them on down to him. I know there aren't too many turn-tables that will play 78 rpm's. However, my mother-in-law has one. I have on occasion played them and they bring back memories from when I was a kid in the 40's. They are occupying space and are in the way, but I just can't seem to part with them. I know I'm too attached to them but I know too that I should not be that way. Nobody else in my family has any interest in them. (On a funny note I should have about 100 of them, but when my brother and I were kids and we lived next to a creek, I think we were the first to invent the Frisbee. Gosh! Those 78 rpm can sure fly far. We threw about 50 into the creek because those records were "old and worthless". Needless to say, we got severely punished by our dad.) Actually these records mean nothing to nobody else but me. By the way, these are not the only old things that I have. I'm fast approaching 70 and I have other items that have sentimental value only to me. I don't expect to be around much longer, but then that's actually up to God. Your thoughts. Thanks..
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear Chas: As a layman you are not expected to detach yourself of things in the same way religious are required. When I took vows I had, at the time, a collection of records. I was attached to them too much and thus gave them up. Today, however, I think that I could own those records without attachment. Perhaps I will look for some of them in a used book store. In your case, there is nothing wrong with hanging on to these things as long as it is not interfering with your spiritual health. Belongings with sentimental value have actual value. They serve to comfort us, remind us of our lives, and if the youngster will listen it can provide them with a little hint of the way things use to be. Unless you are losing yourself in these things to where you are endangering your physical, mental, or spiritual life, I do not think there is any problem. Enjoy those old records (I wish I had some of the old 78s). God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Holding on to things for years

Chas

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Question:

Is it good to hang on to things for sentimental reasons. For example, I have about 50 very old 78 rpm records, some of which were recorded in the 20's and 30's. They used to belong to my aunt who died at the age of 98 some 10 years ago. I know they're probably worth a lot to someone but I don't know if I really want to get rid of them. I have only one child, actually he just got married, who really has no interest in keeping these records as I would have liked to pass them on down to him.

I know there aren't too many turn-tables that will play 78 rpm's. However, my mother-in-law has one. I have on occasion played them and they bring back memories from when I was a kid in the 40's. They are occupying space and are in the way, but I just can't seem to part with them. I know I'm too attached to them but I know too that I should not be that way. Nobody else in my family has any interest in them. (On a funny note I should have about 100 of them, but when my brother and I were kids and we lived next to a creek, I think we were the first to invent the Frisbee. Gosh! Those 78 rpm can sure fly far. We threw about 50 into the creek because those records were "old and worthless". Needless to say, we got severely punished by our dad.) Actually these records mean nothing to nobody else but me.

By the way, these are not the only old things that I have. I'm fast approaching 70 and I have other items that have sentimental value only to me. I don't expect to be around much longer, but then that's actually up to God.

Your thoughts.

Thanks..

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Chas:

As a layman you are not expected to detach yourself of things in the same way religious are required. When I took vows I had, at the time, a collection of records. I was attached to them too much and thus gave them up. Today, however, I think that I could own those records without attachment. Perhaps I will look for some of them in a used book store.

In your case, there is nothing wrong with hanging on to these things as long as it is not interfering with your spiritual health. Belongings with sentimental value have actual value. They serve to comfort us, remind us of our lives, and if the youngster will listen it can provide them with a little hint of the way things use to be.

Unless you are losing yourself in these things to where you are endangering your physical, mental, or spiritual life, I do not think there is any problem.

Enjoy those old records (I wish I had some of the old 78s).

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum