What Will the Younger Generations do with their Inheritance?

Over the past couple of years as I’ve downsized and had to move my mom and several other elderly relatives out of their homes, my daughter has been “gifted” many heirlooms. She has quilts my grandmother made, a blanket my mom made, sewing supplies and small crafts from my mom, my aunt, and me, and old Halloween costumes I made for her and her sister.

Recently, I was clearing out a linen closet when I came across a bag of embroidery samples and a quilt my great-aunt made in the late 1800s. After I tossed what was beyond repair, my daughter wanted to take the rest! I asked her what she planned to do with it since it has sentimental value and is part of my story.

She told me she’s going to display the things that don’t need repair. Repair the quilts and blanket so she can display those too. Salvage the embroidery and anything else that she can to make her own quilt embedded with the love and hard work from all the women who came before us.

Younger generations still want to learn from us and appreciate the hard work that we have put into fighting for their place in the workplace and in society. And, just like with the quilts and fabric my daughter has inherited, some ideas and practices should be tossed as no longer relevant, some should be preserved as continuing to have value, some need repair, and others need to be reshaped into something new.

Things change regardless of whether we want them to or not. We have choices to make. We can stand in the way and try to stop them, or we can be curious, allies, guides and mentors to support these changes – ensuring that they are as positive as possible. I’m convinced that the younger generations will make something even more beautiful and creative than we could imagine!

Even if we’re not around to see the heights future generations reach, we will always be part of the unbreakable foundation supporting them.