I belong to a monthly men's breakfast club. The club meets the last Thursday of every month, and this month marks the 164th continuous breakfast at the same restaurant, with many of the original members still attending. The club has grown to over 100 members, with an average age in the mid-70s. The meetings are informal and a good way to connect with more men in our senior community.
A few months back, the guys at my table began talking about possessions: their collections, downsizing, and children with no interest in stamps, coins, military memorabilia, art, comics, or books. "Sell it, donate it, throw it away" were words we shared often. Some of us ignored our kids and spouses on this front, while many others agreed simply because it was easier.
Those of us still fond of our past memories, present surrounded by our treasures, and future, believing we're preserving something worthwhile, began meeting weekly. We're not officially a club, but plenty of men and women show up to our meetings. We use our clubhouse as well as our own homes and just talk. While we don't call what we do "show and tell," it's honestly the best way to describe our meetings. We get animated telling our stories to people who genuinely care and share our interests. We sometimes trade or advise each other on the value of items, and even suggest how to sell something if someone's interested.
Preserving who we are, and our passions, is part of our lives. When we pass on, we hope our treasures find their way to others who share the same passion for them that we did.