I've had this old box since I was twelve. I keep it tucked under my bed. Every now and then I pull it out and look at the treasures it holds. Today I was suppose to be working, but the box was calling me. I haven't visited it in a long time.
Every time I open it I give a little gasp at the beauty of the treasures it holds.
Brown velvet ribbon and pink and teal silk grapes.
There are soft pastel wreaths and rosettes still on the mesh backing.
One lone little bouquet of calla lilies.
Rosette trios.
Blue pansies trimmed in gold.
Roses and more in beautiful jewel tones with gold trim.
I'm not sure when or how I got my treasures. I know they were my grandmothers. I've only ever used three. I sewed them to the christening gown my daughters wore when they were baptized. Those are put away with the gown for their daughters.
I must have been thinking about the box today because it's my grandmothers birthday. I lost her to breast cancer when I was twelve. She was only 62. As I get older I understand how truly young she was.
She was strong, beautiful and talented. She loved antiques and had a wonderful store. I inherited my love of vintage from her. I wish I would have inherited her creativity gene too. She was a wonderful seamstress. She never shied from a large project. After my grandfather died, she sold their farm house and moved into a charming little cottage-like home. She didn't like the old refrigerator. It was yellow. So she covered it, top to bottom, in fabric to match her kitchen curtains and chair pads. It was beautiful!
She moved in with us when she was at her sickest but kept her home as we all thought she would get well and go back. The day after she died, her home caught fire burning a large portion of it almost completely to the ground. Not much survived, mostly things in the back bedrooms. I'm not sure if my treasure was in her home or her shop, but it's my own little gift from her. I only had her for twelve years, but she has shaped me in many ways. The baby picture on the home page of my website is her. I know she helps me live my dream.
Love you and miss you Grandma! Happy Birthday!
