July 25, 2001    
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What is your most valued family heirloom?

My parent's wedding photographs.

Jaden, 21
Brampton, Ontario  CANADA

Favorite family heirloom?  A tradition of seeing the world clearly and refusing to accept distortion.

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

A couple of jewelry items that belonged to my mom. And oddly enough, a pair of gloves that were hers. I don't have many family heirlooms.

Fisch, 45
Preston
, CT   USA

All the letters that my grandparents wrote to each other while my grandfather was away at Princeton, then while he was in Japan after WWII. Those letters bring them to life for me, make me remember just what wonderful, bright, funny people that that they were.

Maggie, 20
Sandwich
, IL   USA

For sentimental reasons, the locket my grandfather gave my grandmother at their wedding. In terms of monetary value, a few rings set with precious stones, and an unusual set of cameos. There are also a few pieces of furniture that have been handed down for about 250 years.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

My most valued family heirloom is a large gold round like a ball, a decoration for a christmas tree. My father found it like 50 years ago in someone trash and it was on our tree when I was home. Then when my parents divorced and my mother broke up housekeeping she left it in the house she had moved out of and I got it. My children look for it on the tree every year. I tease thenm and tell them I will have to write a letter that on my death they bury the bulb with me as they will fight over who is to get it. It is some kind of glass and a bit on the heavy side.

Marci, 56
Diamond
,
OH  USA

I don't really have anything at the moment. I suppose some collectable coins that my Dad collected. I do have an old chair that belonged to my grandfather.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

My mother's wedding and engagement rings.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

My grandmother recently gave me a necklace that has been passed on to a woman in the family from each generation. It's special because she now thinks of me as a responsible young woman who will know the value of the heirloom and I will choose who to give it one day.

Jennifer, 19
Wilkes-Barre
, PA  USA

I don't have a clue. If we have something like that i'd be news to me.

Dianne, 16
Ontario  CANADA

I dont think I have one.

Ry, 23

My photo of my mother who dies of cancer when I was 8 years old.

Brad, 20
Sydney  AUSTRALIA

Um, my mom gave me a ring that my dad had given to her when she was about my age. I guess its pretty special.

Talia, 23
Wilton
, CT   USA

I have a gold necklace and pendant that's been in the family for generations. It's the most beautiful, ornate thing I've ever seen. We also have a stole made from a fox that's over 100 years old. Normally I'd think that this would be sick, but it's so beautiful, warm and pristine. I used to use it as a teddy when I was younger.

Shanna, 16
Cardiff  ENGLAND

I would have to see my late Grandfather's books which I inherited (in a way)...Those books go as far back as 1912 or so...I guess that is how I can answer this question.

Frodo
age unknown, parts unknown

I don't know. There's a lot of cool stuff.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames
, IA  USA

I have a cameo of my mothers that I wore on my wedding dress. THat has special sentimental value to me. But my husband and I bought some old stained glass from a church that we framed and mounted that I want to pass down to my children and make an heirloom.

Janet, 42
E. Brunswick
, NJ  USA

Me. ;-)

Eric, 19
Beverly Hills
, CA  USA

Yesterday / Tomorrow