Thursday, October 14, 2010

Mazel tov!

At my first marriage, we received three Waterford goblets. Lismore pattern. Back then, each glass cost something like $30; now each costs in the neighborhood of $70. I thought I'd add to the collection over the years, but never did.

So for more than 30 years, I've held on to these goblets. Rarely used them. 

When I knew I was going to sell the house, I listed them on craigslist for 1/2 the current going rate. Not even a nibble.

At the estate sale, I put $20 on each. Not even a glance.

Given my experience at Goodwill yesterday, I wasn't going to donate them there. And I didn't intend to burden any family or friends with them.

(Burden: My mother noted one day that she intended to leave her Fostoria with one of my brothers. "Why?" I asked. "Because I'm irritated with him, and he'll be cursed with the stress of imminent breakage whenever he uses them.")

So what to do?

I don't know what you might do, but here's what I did:
  1. Get towel; lay it on floor.
  2. Place three Waterford goblets, Lismore pattern, on towel.
  3. Gently swaddle fine crystal with towel. 
  4. Get rubber mallet.
  5. Get safety glasses; put them on.
  6. Bang. Bang. Bang. 

Mazel tov!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It IS only stuff. Love your Mom; my kind of gal! //terry

Anonymous said...

That just made me cry! No respect for the artisans of creation. Shame on you.

Mzuri said...

I understand your sentiment. On the other hand, I chose to view the experience like one of those Tibetan (or Navajo) sand paintings - to appreciate their beauty and then, to acknowledge the transience of such, let them go.