There are many, many things in our lives and in our homes that came from her hands. Photos, gifts, cookware, furnishings, necessities. An uncountable number of pieces and parts of who we are what we possess that she gave to us for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmases and some things that came from her just because she perceived that we had need.
But, obviously she kept everything that we ever gave her for any reason. How humbling is that?
Drawings, childhood artwork, crafts, and creations.
Cards, letters, notes, photos - memories that cover our lifetimes. She must have treasured them all.
"I made that . . . can I have it?" we ask each other. "You gave that to her . . . why don't you take it and hang it in your study?" "That made her think about you . . . take it to continue thinking about her."
All of these decisions are so easily made as a family. Easily, but not painlessly.
There is so much of her already in our lives and in our homes. We are now transferring only more of her.
The photo in this post is of a tissue box holder that I made for Mother many years ago during the woodworking and craft phase! Three pieces of white pine, scrolled out and glued together. Chinese grass screen panels hanging from dowel rods to form opposing sides. It holds and dispenses a small box of tissues. I've seen it on display and in use for many years. In her home like it was a valuable home necessity.
This weekend I took it to sit on the nightstand beside my bed.
There is an extra throw-pillow, a painting on the wall, a blanket, an added vanity cabinet in my bathroom. Towels and washcloths added to the closet, sheets and pillow cases.
The closest members of her family, some of her dearest friends are now reminded of her . . . surrounded by her.
We fail to notice things like this over the years, we overlook them, or take them for granted. They do not fully register with us or catch our eye. But now they take on a whole new meaning, a new importance. They are just things, but they make us think of better times, different times, wonderful good times with a good person.
Mother probably didn't have anything that anyone would value as material wealth, but her house, her home was filled with things that were a part of her, and a part of what was most valuable to her - us.
Drawings, childhood artwork, crafts, and creations.
Cards, letters, notes, photos - memories that cover our lifetimes. She must have treasured them all.
"I made that . . . can I have it?" we ask each other. "You gave that to her . . . why don't you take it and hang it in your study?" "That made her think about you . . . take it to continue thinking about her."
All of these decisions are so easily made as a family. Easily, but not painlessly.
There is so much of her already in our lives and in our homes. We are now transferring only more of her.
The photo in this post is of a tissue box holder that I made for Mother many years ago during the woodworking and craft phase! Three pieces of white pine, scrolled out and glued together. Chinese grass screen panels hanging from dowel rods to form opposing sides. It holds and dispenses a small box of tissues. I've seen it on display and in use for many years. In her home like it was a valuable home necessity.
This weekend I took it to sit on the nightstand beside my bed.
There is an extra throw-pillow, a painting on the wall, a blanket, an added vanity cabinet in my bathroom. Towels and washcloths added to the closet, sheets and pillow cases.
The closest members of her family, some of her dearest friends are now reminded of her . . . surrounded by her.
We fail to notice things like this over the years, we overlook them, or take them for granted. They do not fully register with us or catch our eye. But now they take on a whole new meaning, a new importance. They are just things, but they make us think of better times, different times, wonderful good times with a good person.
Mother probably didn't have anything that anyone would value as material wealth, but her house, her home was filled with things that were a part of her, and a part of what was most valuable to her - us.
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