The White Photo Album

By: Mary Falkenburg

All he was looking for was a white photo album that contained the pictures from his wedding 55 years ago. The album was tattered and worn, but it was all there. The bride in her hand made dress, vale just draped over her shoulders. Sitting on the bench under the alter. Her smile, large and beautiful. He saw her again, and was still in love. She had passed across Heavens gates 5 years ago, but he had not forgotten her. I found the album in a back bedroom, under some clothes. He was so excited. His sight was failing, but not his love. I checked on him later to see how he was. He was sitting in his chair, album on his lap, tears in his eyes. "She really was the prettiest girl in town", was all he said. He was right their pictures together were of pure love.

I have the honor of working for an auction company. My husband is the auctioneer and I am the "sorter". We get calls from people who just need a clean-up sale, or they have too much in storage. Then there are the calls from the children, their parents have passed and they need help. What do they do? What can we do? Help! Some of the kids just hand us the keys and tell us to handle it, other want to be there and help. We always, always make sure that family heirlooms stay in the family. We sort the personals and make sure they have them back. The day before we let them go through and take things they forgot about, or didn't know their parents even had. It is heart breaking and also fun. We always find something that no one knows what it is or what it was used for. Always a crock hiding under the stairs, or a single piece of china that has been glued together enough times to make you wonder why it was so special.

This last auction the gentleman was there, helping us. He had the best stories about where they had lived, what they had done. The treasures were vast and we worked for weeks sorting and getting everything ready. Then came auction day. He saw many old friends. They wanted a 'piece' of his travels, or just to see the crock with its original lid. It was a great day.

We feel as if we are doing a service for the family or client. We care for their items as if they were our own. We did an auction for a lady, and I found out that her mother and father lived across from me when I was growing up. I mowed their lawn and took care of little things for them. She was selling a mantle clock that they had gotten for a wedding present in 1915. I remembered that clock sitting on their mantel. I really wanted to have it, my husband understood. On the day of the auction, it took a little more than I thought, but it now sits on my mantel, ticking away. I have told my kids the story, and they also understand why I wanted the clock.

The hardest auction for me was "Nana's". She had been an amazing woman in my life. I had known her for 20 years, she always hugged me. Always loved me. When she passed her daughters called me. I held back the tears, and agreed we were the right people for the job. On auction day, I found myself crying, I wanted to make sure her things were going to a good home. Some came home with me.

A white album full of pictures might not mean much to one person but to another, it is a life’s journeys. He left smiling, thanking me for finding his one treasure next to his years of memories.

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

Mary Falkenburg
Falky's Treasures on Ruby Lane
www.rubylane.com/shops/falkystreasures

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