Did you have a Memory Box growing up?
A place to keep special memories?
I had one.
Long before Mom went off to college to meet my Dad,
she had a Hope Chest--made of cedar--costing my Grandfather $32.
I know because the price is still marked inside the lid.
The story goes that another cedar chest was part of the deal. . .
a smaller version of the Hope Chest.
Mom filled the larger Hope Chest with treasures for her future home.
It was in college that she met her husband--my Dad--
and all her 'hopes' came true.
She received her 'M-R-S' degree when
they married in 1947.
Four years later, I came along. . . .
I'm sure you've guessed the rest--
about the Memory Box, that is. . . .
It's been in my life ever since. . .
has held everything from doll clothes to my college beanie. . . .
family mementoes and silly little things that I couldn't part with for some reason.
Things like a tiny plastic elephant (I have no idea why I kept it but it's cute),
an ink pin with a chick floating around in the clear plastic,
and a miniature harmonica (Again, I have no idea. . . .)
As I added memories over the years, I had to make decisions
many times on what to keep. . . .Sometimes it was painfully hard.
I have the little cedar chest to this day.
It now holds a permanent collection. . . .
memories of my Grandparents, Parents, Aunts and Uncles.
Among other things are
Mom's first glasses at age 3,
A patch from Daddy's Navy uniform,
Grandmother's lacy handkerchief that she always carried to church,
Granddaddy's tie clip--the one he wore with his three piece suit,
Granny's well-worn pincushion,
and a fishing lure from Pop's extensive collection. . .
nothing of real value. . . .except to me.
I bet you think this is my little cedar chest, don't you?
It's not. . . .
but, it IS a Memory Box--the dimensions and style copied from my own.
A lucky little girl will be receiving it this Christmas--
a gift from her Great Grandmother--
to keep cherished memories throughout her growing years--
and as a reminder of how much she is loved.
With a few additions of her own, this loving Great Grandmother
is leaving a legacy. . .the same as Mom left for me.
Family--Memories
The circle of Love continues.
Crafted and embellished as the
'Great Grandmother' envisioned
by John and Dru
On a very different note, Old Man Winter has arrived.
We're right smack dab in the middle of the Winter Storm
that's spreading across the country. . .freezing rain, sleet, and snow later. . . .
So far, our electricity is still on. . . .but more freezing rain is on its way.
We spent two days preparing for this storm and are in good shape.
My disappointment is that I may not be able to finish and publish
the two Christmas posts I'm working on. . . .
In fact, I had a different post planned for today
but no time to finish it in this little window of internet access.
(. . .sigh. . .)
A minor adjustment in the larger scheme of things.
Hopefully, you're not experiencing the same weather where you live,
but if Old Man Winter IS visiting you with this massive storm,
please stay indoors, warm and safe . . .It's nasty out there!
We'll be in touch soon. . . .I hope. . . .
. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .