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Craig,
I, like most others, am shocked, but totally understanding.
For the past 2-1/2 years I've been renovating a 110 year old Victorian (despite the fact I only had three years left on the mortgage of our previous house). My wife told me a week or so back that she wanted the dining room done by the time my son graduates from high school on May 23. That process is ongoing.
Last night, she said something akin to "Once you get this done, you'll finally be able to enjoy yourself by converting the attic to your Cubs room."
As I looked up at the ceiling in our living room that is partially torn out as part of the dining room renovation, I told her I would probably just continue on restoring the downstairs and let the attic wait until the rest of the house was done.
All of my collection remains in boxes and the attic has only a couple of working outlets (but it is now insulated, heated and air conditioned). As much as I can't wait to start work up there and finally get my "museum" back in order, it's more important to the family that the rest of the house get done first.
While it's not as drastic a measure as yours, I totally understand putting family first. When we were engaged, I sold off a 1984 Fleer Update set (remember how hot those were?) to help pay for her wedding band. I later sold autographed balls of Jimmie Foxx and Bill Veeck (oh, how I wish I still had those) to build a garage onto our first house. I sold Topps sets from '71 on up to pay for various bills/improvements.
While coming across Foxx and Veeck balls a second time may never happen, I don't regret for a minute getting rid of any of that stuff. In some ways, it's better for me as it helped me refocus my collection, rather than have a whole bunch of "stuff."
Yes, there are items I still have that would pain me to sell... my '69 Cubs ball, my 1974 Banks coach's jersey, his retired number flag that flew over the field in '08. Yet, if push came to shove, the family wins over every time.
You have been a great trading partner and I always enjoyed finding something for you (like the Dawson cover on this year's Cubs Convention program). Having two kids of my own, I can tell you the joy you will get from yours will far surpass anything you will get from collecting.
Best always, my friend...
Tony
