Why Family Stories Make For the Best Heirlooms

I live away from family and I have a few things that I’ve kept a few things that tie me back to my grandparents: a watch, a ring, a dhoti or veshti ( a type of garment). My husband has a filter coffee set from one grandmother and a davara-tumbler set from another grandmother.

I really enjoy having these things around me because they are like touchstones to my past. Like if I’m rummaging through a drawer and see my grandfather’s veshti I’ll remember a fun memory I have of us together, or just even think of him. Sometimes during busy days we don’t even think of these people. It always brings a smile to my face.

Another type of heirloom that is nice to have is detailed stories from these people’s lives. Whether that’s from your parents, grandparents as an heirloom for yourself, or from your own life for future generations. It’s nice to have stories from these people in their own words, versus memories and anecdotes that are retold and rehashed and lost in translation.

At Roots and Reflections, we help preserve these treasures and the stories behind them so they continue to live on.

If you’d like to add to your heirloom collection let’s work together. Email hello@kamakshiayyar.com to get started!