When a woman comes across this sweater in a second-hand store, she immediately becomes emotional
Londonderry (USA) - Second-hand stores can be a goldmine for bargain hunters. Sometimes you even come across expensive designer pieces or rarities that can make you rich in the best case scenario. A customer from the US state of New Hampshire also found something very valuable - albeit in an emotional sense.
If anyone knows the tricks of the trade when it comes to second-hand shopping, it's Gabrielle Hernandez from Londonderry. The 26-year-old even gave up her career as a special needs teacher last year to devote herself entirely to her passion.
The US-American can now even call herself the owner of her own second-hand store. "I've been buying second-hand for as long as I can remember," Hernandez told Newsweek. For her, every trip to such a store would be a "scavenger hunt".
Even though she is actually on the lookout for unique treasures when she visits second-hand stores, she is also delighted with finds that have little material value - but for much more valuable reasons.
This was the case recently when she came across a white sweater that had clearly been designed by one or more children.
US-American woman cries over second-hand sweater
The print even brought tears to the 26-year-old's eyes: "I love you, mom" was once painted on the top in spidery lettering. In addition to hearts and handprints, the children had also immortalized themselves with a drawing of two people, presumably representing a mother and her offspring.
"When I saw it, all I could think was that a mother had died," says Hernandez. She would often find such emotional mementos while browsing thrift stores. "What most people don't realize is that many of the items are from deaths."
The US American explains that she gets "emotional" about such items of clothing because each of them has a "backstory". Even if she doesn't know exactly who the sweater once belonged to or why the children designed it in this way, Hernandez knows that there are "memories hidden" in the top.
By making her find publicon her Instagram page, the 26-year-old wants to sensitize other people to treat used clothing with respect. For other people, this might have been a very valuable piece.