Today’s Sound Off is about the things that we hate to part with and lost opportunities to pass them on:

Dear Heloise >> I was at a loss about what to do with the things I’ve collected over the years that my kids didn’t want. My wedding china was given to me by my parents. It was beautiful, but none of my children wanted it. I had lead crystal vases, wine glasses, and bowls hand cut from Ireland that no one wanted. I also had handmade Persian rugs, antique furniture that predates the American Civil War, and oil paintings of my mother and grandmother. But even though I offered these things to my children and other relatives, I had no takers.

So many things in my lovely home had stories attached to them and were part of our family history. I had offered to just hand these things over to other members of the family because I bought a condo and couldn’t take most of it with me.

So, I had an estate sale and sold all of it to people who appreciated fine furnishings, and I made a handsome profit. Now my family is furious with me for selling those items, and they’re all sulking. I told them that it’s too bad, and it’s such a shame they refused my original offer.

I even sold my home, which some of them thought they would inherit one day. I sold my husband’s car that was in mint condition to a college student who didn’t have much money but desperately needed transportation. My son was angry when he discovered that I let the student have it for $300.

Did I do this out of pettiness, anger or revenge? No. I needed to get rid of so many of my possessions with very little time to unload them. I told my family that I’d probably put these things up for sale, and no one believed me. Now everything is gone, and I can move on with my life.

The moral here is simple: If you turn down something of value, and it goes to someone else, don’t whine and throw a tantrum. Many opportunities are squandered and lost because someone wasn’t thinking ahead, was too lazy or afraid, or wasn’t paying attention.

— Margaret K., Charleston, South Carolina

Dear Heloise >> I decided to paint our lawn furniture, but didn’t want to get paint all over the grass or patio, which is what usuallly happens with spray paint. But I had an old plastic kid’s wading pool, so I placed the metal furniture in the pool one at a time. Then I spray-painted them one by one. It worked well to keep the grass clean.

— Cassie W., Missoula, Montana

Dear Heloise >> I keep an aerosol can of compressed gas that is intended for dusting electronics. I use it for blowing the lint off of the dryer filter. Not only is it gentler, but it’s also much more effective than tapping the filter against the rim of a trash can or using my hands. It makes an otherwise messy task quick and clean. It is best done outside, where flying lint is harmless.

— Vern Smith, Laguna Woods

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.