Auctions are never, ever about just one person. The auctioneer’s ad may list one owner but nothing could be farther from the truth.
Belongings of a loved one are part of many lives. My mother’s auction on June 21 will release ties to no fewer than ten people. That’s just in the family. Friends are too numerous to count.
While the property and belongings are not categorized as collectable or antique, they are nevertheless priceless in a few eyes.  And while it will be difficult to see “things” go, we, like so many others, realize that our loved ones would not want us to cling to material goods.
In boxing up Mom’s things for the auction, we found my grandmother’s crochet and knitting needles along with a few of her finished doilies. Knitting projects started by Mom just after she retired (she called them winter work) are still waiting to be finished by someone. Someone new will no doubt enjoy the sense of accomplishment as the needles click and pull yarn into rows of interconnected stitches. 
The White treadle sewing machine I learned to sew on will be sold along with its original parts and papers. I can still remember the rocking of my foot as I stitched the pink satin dress for my senior Home Ec Style Show. Mom made my wedding dress on the machine as well as baby clothes for the grandkids. Someone else will enjoy the calm, thump of the wheel and pedal as they sew now.
My mother-in-law’s pieced and appliquéd quilt tops will be sold. Mom and I had big plans to finish them along with the 28 hand-appliquéd butterfly blocks after Mom Moore passed away. But time does fly by and someone else will enjoy stitching together the warm quilts for next winter.
Dozens of jigsaw puzzles revealed what Mom and I did with our time together the last years of her life. She always said working them made her feel more mentally alert and was good for what ailed both of us. Someone else will piece together hours of enjoyment with them.
A box of DP&L memorabilia was a reminder of Mom’s last job. She loved baking for the linemen. She had great respect for their stamina in the extreme heat and cold working conditions. Someone else will collect pieces of the past now.
Probably the hardest thing for us to see sold will be the house, especially the back yard. Mom purchased the house late in life. She wanted her final years to be in the yard, surrounded by flowers, birds; sitting on her garden swing. It stays with the yard, a token of her affection for new residents who, hopefully, will take a few minutes each day to relax and enjoy the perennial flower beds, gooseberry bushes in fruit and three apple trees where robins nest each spring.
We know we will see familiar faces at the auction. It would be wonderful to meet new faces, perhaps old friends of mom’s. Stop by, even for just a few minutes. Don’t be shy about introducing yourself. After all, this auction is about many people; it is truly someone else’s day.  Here is Mom’s favorite recipe for her gooseberries and her note from our family cookbook.

Gooseberry Pie

Pastry for 2-crust pie
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup flour
4 cups fresh gooseberries
2 tablespoons butter

Line 9-inch pie plate with half of pastry.
Stir sugar and flour together.
Wash, remove stem and flower ends from berries.
Drain well.
Put half of the berries in pastry. Sprinkle with half the sugar/flour mixture. Top with remaining berries.
Sprinkle with remaining sugar/flour mix. Dot with butter. Adjust top crust over berries.
Dampen edges of pastry to seal together and flute.
Cut in small vents over top of pie for steam to escape.
Cover edges of pie with 3-inch strips of foil to prevent burning. Bake at 425 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until juices start to bubble up through steam vents.

Remove foil last 10 minutes of baking. Cool completely.

Mom’s note: (this was written 11 years ago)
Ten years ago I planted my first gooseberry bushes and enjoyed harvests each year until one year, someone else discovered the fruit-laden bushes and enjoyed pie on me.     
For more information about the auction - Contact Connie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Box 61, Medway, OH 45341.