Treasures from Mum’s house:Small treasures

Mum’s house and household was a small, modest, lovingly cared for little home. It was, however, saturated with meaning and memory for all her family. It was the center of the family gatherings, and little treasures from it mean the world to us all…. whether it’s a teapot or an apron, a cookbook, tape measure or a special plate.

I have been thinking about this all day, and I remembered a museum exhibit that Jim and our daughter and I went to a few years ago. It was a collection of artifacts from ancient Rome . The pieces in the collection that we found the most touching and moving were simple household items – humble things that were used daily and probably were not high in monetary value.

We are gathering to celebrate Mum’s life. We are talking with each other about this and that, bringing up memories and laughter and tears. And, we are choosing things from  Mum’s dear little house that will become part of our daily life. These ‘little treasures’ will be even more cherished as they will be a physical way of remembering Mum.

I have her teapot, a simple white one that Patty bought her years ago. Every day, Mum drank her tea from it. Now, I raise my cup to her, and to Patty, who are sipping tea together in heaven!

When Sis and I  were looking through some of Mum’s boxes of bits and pieces, last week, I was ecstatic when Sis found one of Mum’s mother’s crochet hooks

Now, here’s a treasure to cherish! It was probably purchased for a nickle or a dime, and chances are good that that’s about it’s monetary value now.   BUT! for me to hold this tiny hook in my hand moves me deeply. Knowing that Grandma, who passed away before I entered the family, used this hook, and that her daughter, my beloved mother-in-law, saved it, gives it value beyond measure.

Will I use it? You bet. Will I save it? You bet. I think I will probably get Jim to make me a special little wooden box for it, and write what I  know about it. Someday, perhaps, another granddaughter will find it and hold it to her heart.

Someday……….

Hugs all round

Noreen