Let's get a little heavy this evening. I recently lost a good friend at work and as it usually does when someone passes from this world it gets some thought going. A few times before I have thought about the topic of what becomes of our stuff after we are gone. Many of us are lucky enough to have this answer already deep in the pocket. The best thing would be to have a child, a sibling, a parent or even a close friend who will treasure your cardboard once you no longer can but... How many of us are in the realm of not knowing whom would carry on your quests? I find myself in that boat and it makes me think. Obviously, once we are gone it will be of no consequence when we check out but I'd like to know that someone enjoys my labor of love after that day comes...hopefully a long time from now.
My friend was also a collector of sorts but he didn't dabble in cardboard. He was a rabid hockey fan and had quite a bit of cool hockey memorabilia. His son shared the fandom of hockey and hopefully he will keep these pieces of his dad and treasure them. He was a good man and I will miss him- RIP Kelly.
So what are your thoughts? Ever thought on this topic?
Definitely. My wife and I don't have any plans to pop out kids, so my collection will be up to her (most likely) to sell when I check out. It's a bummer to think about. I'm hoping maybe her brother will crank out a kid who's into baseball, and I'll be the cool uncle and hook the tyke up with my cards n' crap when I start knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have thought about this from time-to-time. No kids for me either, and only one niece to speak of right now. My wife has asked on two separate occasions about my collection and what she's supposed to do with it when I'm gone. I have a baseball friend in town, and he's a true fanatic, but only dabbles in cardboard. Plus, he's ten years my senior. He's my best option.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, if I came down with a fatal disease I would probably send most of my collection to Dimebox Nick. My sister would get my Sandberg collection, because of the ties to our childhood and my wife would get my VOGELMONSTER collection. Nick is a younger Cubs fan and I feel he truly appreciates cardboard in ways many of us never take the time to do. I think my collection would be in good hands with him.
I wrote about this topic on the blog quite awhile ago. There's no one in the family until grandkids come along, although my nephew is a potential candidate.
ReplyDeleteCondolences on the loss of your friend. As for my collection.... my eldest daughter would be the caretaker of the cardboard until she nears her retirement and then sell them and split the proceeds with her sibling.
ReplyDeleteUnless of course there is a grandchild one day who is interested.
DeleteI've thought about it from time to time. No kids, closest thing to that is a nephew two nephews actually one is my brother's step-son I don't think either are into collecting much of anything except maybe music, DVDs and video games. Anyway they are into other stuff than I am and sports wise they prefer different teams if any. I have older siblings and my newphew(s). I am single w/no kids. I should make my nephew (the one by blood) executor. As for my cardboard collection and other collections I have I should make some specific wishes for those.
ReplyDeleteAs my collection continues to grow I think about this more and more. Hopefully my daughter will take it and keep it in the family. I don't want her going on future Pawn Stars (Alien Pawn Stars!) selling everything for pennies on the dollar.
ReplyDeleteI already have it in my will that they are to go to my son. I've been thinking about labeling different boxes and binders with colored stickers. It would be to help my wife. Like keep the "red ones" but sell everything else. Maybe extreme but I know it would help. In December we lost a 32-year-old member of my family (and I'm 32 now), so it woke me up a bit seeing first hand how tough it is to clean things out and figure out what to do with possessions without any direction.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
DeleteSorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I'm reached that age in my life when older relatives have started to go as well as a few friends and colleagues. And it can take a toll on the heart.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question... five years ago... I would have said my nephew. But he's currently into sports and girls. If I were to go today, my Sharks stuff would go to my best friend since her and her mom are two of the biggest Sharks fans I know. Everything else would go to my brother who would probably just throw most of it on eBay. Hopefully my family will remember to have my 56 Robinson and 83 Gwynn cremated with me.