This photo represents three generations of my family.
The Mother’s cup on the top of the stack, is from my father’s mother, Hazel May. The cup wasn’t a special gift given to her, she chose it at a yard sale, finding it sweet and quaint! This very thought makes me smile, Hazel and I have so many things in common, and a good garage sale is indeed hard to pass up!
The stack of saucers with floral borders are from my mother, ( I have the corresponding tea cups but used the saucers for height in this vignette). My Mother felt that “serving tea” was a gracious act for a hostess. I have never had tea poured into any cup from my Mother, but the importance of hosting “properly” is ingrained in my very soul.
Finally, the floral apron on the table is from my Mother’s Mother, my Grandmother Dorothy Ruby. I called her MaMa , sounds like the “ma” of the word Grandma, when I was very young, and continued to use it as a term of endearment for many years. Grandma tried to teach me how to make pie crust, homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, fried chicken and gravy, and GRITS…. all of my favorites! Let’s just say that I walked away from that appreciating her patience, and willingness to even try! I loved both of my grandmothers’ dearly, miss them tremendously, and laugh out loud when I look at that apron!
Finally, the collected copper pieces and the metal basket, or wire basket, are vintage goods that bring me joy. I decorate with and find joy in, the unexpected and non-ordinary items. Pulling these items together into one vignette, each item with its own story, combines three generations of four women around the same table,
Just One. More. Time.
Currently, today, my mother is in Rehab at a local facility. I’ve been caring for her in my home for the past three years, I have gone from first child, only daughter, to only caregiver.
My Father passed away two years ago this May, this month. Mom is/was the love of his life. As he grew weaker, his condition worsening, I knew he was worried about her, his wife, my mother.
I promised him I would care for her, she could live with my husband and myself for the rest of her life. He looked at me and said,
“That won’t be easy.”
“No, it won’t”, was my reply, then, “I’m not afraid of hard, I can do hard.”
His jaw tightened for a second, he looked at me and smiled from ear to ear.
This was the one and only conversation I had with my father about this. We discussed it, thought about it, agreed, and it was settled.
As I inserted this photo onto this blog, my phone rang. The discharge nurse from my Mother’s Rehab facility called to make an appointment to discuss “next steps.” The “next steps” for Mom and myself will involve moving her into an Assisted Living apartment with extra help included to assist in her daily care.
I will find out on Friday what amount of time I have to make this transition for her, and with her.
Time goes by so quickly my friends, and this thought is just slapping me in the face right now…. how can it be? The young mother that held my tiny hand as I took my first steps, has her frail hand in mine as I help her with the “next steps” of her life.
This. Is. Unbelievable.
This “circle of life”.
On Mother’s Day this year, please reach out to the women in your life that have loved and nurtured you. Don’t take them, or the time you have with them, for granted.
Blessings,
