Washing dishes is not my favorite thing to do, and I have a dishwasher. But, you must unload clean dishes to make room for dirty ones and every time I put away flatware, I remember all that it has meant to me.The first pattern is the first one I ever used as a child at my parents' house. The drawer which held it was conveniently next to the table. It was sturdy, built much like my mom and dad. Not easily bent.
While I was growing up, my maternal grandmother was busy cutting purchase coupons off of boxes (I think they were General Mills). Once she had enough, she would mail in for knives, forks, spoons, etc., and by the time I married, she had a nice set of utensils for us to use. These were strong too, as was Grandma.
Somehow, during the course of having kids growing up, many of Grandma's knives, forks and spoons disappeared, most likely disposed of into the garbage by any of us not paying attention to what we were doing. We needed new silverware (I'm tired of calling it flatware even though that is what it is). We were up to our necks in debt from Farmall's six month strike and years of unemployment and underemployment. So, the next set was purchased because it was cheap. Not so strong. But, apparently not so easy to throw away as we still have quite a bit of it.
When our son set up his first apartment, Younkers had a great sale, and I took advantage by buying him his first set, which is the next in line in the picture. Although he has since married, received tenure, and has a home of his own, the set remains. I think his wife has her eye on something different, which is, of course, natural, but when they change it over, I may ask for a piece of it. I've requested the same from my grown daughter.
The last piece of silverware is what we are using now. It was mid range in price and does not seem to be nearly as strong as the first two sets we owned, but it will see us through the rest of our days.
I know in my mind these are all just knives, forks and spoons. But, in my heart, they trigger memories that will last my lifetime.
