#8 Creepy mink stole

My story: Somehow, I inherited a mink stole from my grandmother when she passed away in the early ‘80’s. It represents everything that is contrary to my style then, or now, or ever. I have no idea why I have moved it to from basement to basement since then, except that it was presented as valuable and a symbol of my grandmother whom I adored.

Thinking consciously about it, I don’t know why I think it is even a symbol of her. I didn’t even know about it until she died and it was in my hands. I never saw her wear it. It kind of blows my mind that she even owned a fur at all- she was such a lover of animals. The story behind it is lost. It does bear her monogram on it’s lining, which to me is the best thing about this coat.

The truth: The clear fact of the matter is that I’ve never worn it, the very thought of wearing it completely grosses me out! I can still love her without carrying this thing that does not even represent her, but her era. I’m in a dilemma as to what to do with it, my greatest desire is donate it to some animal with no fur!

My action: When I took it out to give it away, my daughter saw it for the very first time. She agreed that it would be hard to wear. Because it has some monetary value, I gave it to her anyway, advising her to sell it for money to help fund her schooling in Greece. When she agreed to sell it, but to raise money for the local animal shelter instead of herself, she made her mama proud. I'm quite sure her great-grandmother would be, too.