What makes things in your life valuable?
When my grandmother Marjorie Dabney married my grandfather Benjamin Miller, she must have registered for every piece of the Chintz pattern that Fostoria made in 1945. Water goblets, wine glasses, champagne coupes, dessert plates, serving pieces, candlesticks, etc.
In her late eighties, she and my grandfather moved into assisted living. Marjorie had two daughters-in-law and 6 granddaughters. Maybe she didn’t know what to do with her Fostoria crystal? Maybe she waited too late to make a thoughtful decision?
Before the big move, my mom’s friend Gretchen called. She’d never seen a Fostoria collection so large at our favorite designer consignment store. Was Marjorie Miller related to us? My mom drove to the store and bought all that was left. We’ll never know what happened to her sterling silver flatware and some other heirlooms, but they would have sold for a fraction of their value–and for decimals compared to our family memories.
Thanks to my mom’s big save and to Replacements Ltd (where I was able to buy more of it), my grandmother’s crystal now lives with me, and I use it! It reminds me of my grandmother, and all of the family meals in her dining room. My hope is the Valuable app will help families share their histories represented by their tangible valuables. Managing your valuables is important, but building a deeper connection with your family is the intangible that really matters.
Amy Miller Wolpert
Co-Founder