Friday, June 15, 2007
Show and Tell--Treasures from Grandmother
Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!" Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there's a story behind your special something, that's even better!
If you want to join the fun, run over to Kelli's and check in.
If you want to join the fun, run over to Kelli's and check in.
I was planning on sharing something different this week, but with all that has gone on in our family this week, I started thinking about grandmothers. If you have read my blog for the last few days you know that two of my grandchildren lost their other grandmother to a battle with cancer. My last post was about Rita.
I started thinking about the responsibility of being a grandmother and that led me to remember my own grandmother. I only had one; my mother's mother had died years before I was born. Most of the memories I have of my Dad's mother are after she developed what we would now call Alzheimer's. Back then they called the disease "hardening of the arteries." She was forgetful, distractable, and often did not recognize family members. She died, at age 86, when I was thirteen years old.
I may not remember Grandmother the way the older cousins, my older siblings, and my Dad's generation remember her, but I do know some things about her. A lot of what I know came from stories I have been told all my life; some from my own memories. When I was very young the family gathered at her small home for Christmas and other holidays. We loved being there. When I lived with my Aunt Frankie, Grandmother spent almost every night with us. She would go back to her home during the day. Sometimes when Aunt Frankie had to be gone for short times she would leave my sister and me with Grandmother. I wonder who was keeping who on those afternoon visits!
Grandmother raised eleven children who all became fine, responsible, Christian people. Those children were proud of their heritage and told loving stories of "Mama." She was the wife of a Baptist preacher. They helped to start several churches in West Texas and were well loved.
I think that every time I was at Grandmother's house someone was drinking coffee. There must have always been a pot going. I know my Dad and uncles consumed gallons of it. That's one of the reasons my show and tell item means so much to me.
I started thinking about the responsibility of being a grandmother and that led me to remember my own grandmother. I only had one; my mother's mother had died years before I was born. Most of the memories I have of my Dad's mother are after she developed what we would now call Alzheimer's. Back then they called the disease "hardening of the arteries." She was forgetful, distractable, and often did not recognize family members. She died, at age 86, when I was thirteen years old.
I may not remember Grandmother the way the older cousins, my older siblings, and my Dad's generation remember her, but I do know some things about her. A lot of what I know came from stories I have been told all my life; some from my own memories. When I was very young the family gathered at her small home for Christmas and other holidays. We loved being there. When I lived with my Aunt Frankie, Grandmother spent almost every night with us. She would go back to her home during the day. Sometimes when Aunt Frankie had to be gone for short times she would leave my sister and me with Grandmother. I wonder who was keeping who on those afternoon visits!
Grandmother raised eleven children who all became fine, responsible, Christian people. Those children were proud of their heritage and told loving stories of "Mama." She was the wife of a Baptist preacher. They helped to start several churches in West Texas and were well loved.
I think that every time I was at Grandmother's house someone was drinking coffee. There must have always been a pot going. I know my Dad and uncles consumed gallons of it. That's one of the reasons my show and tell item means so much to me.
Look carefully at this picture above.
You will be able to pick out which items I want to share with you.
Right there on the first shelf--dark green--little--with a handle.
That's right. the little Fiesta mugs!
The summer after I graduated from college I was visiting Aunt Frankie for a few days. I was getting ready to move into my first apartment. Aunt Frankie said she had some things in storage that I might be able to use. Among some assorted cooking utensils and some mismatched mixing bowls, etc. there were these four little mugs. Aunt Frankie said all of these things had belonged to Grandmother. I was glad to have the mugs and a few other items since I didn't have any dishes yet. I didn't realize until years later that they were Fiesta--or even know that Fiesta is very collectible.
In the picture above you can get a closer look at the mugs.
If you know me--as bloggers say, irl-- you will notice my backdrop
in this picture has another connection to Grandmother.
This tray stands on the counter in my kitchen as a visible reminder of my family.
Do you see it?
Fast forward almost forty years later. Several years ago I got interested in modern Fiesta dishes. I commented to my husband that I would like to have some. I mentioned that I eventually might like to have four colors, but would just like to start with a service for four in one color. My sweet husband, never one to do things half way, used that off-hand comment for my Christmas present.
Now, compare the little green mug from the 1950's
with the mugs I received in the next century.
They had to drink a lot of cups of coffee to get enough!
I hope that some day a grandchild might like to have my dishes. Whether I give them to them, or they are passed to them by someone in the generation between us, I hope they will enjoy having something that belonged to me. Maybe they will tell stories about Grandmama to their little ones. Maybe they will write stories in whatever their version of a blog is. telling how they came to have the yellow, green, red, and blue mugs. Whatever they do, I hope they will remember fondly the time they spent at Grandmama's house and know that I loved them very much.
Oh yes, before I go--Did you figure out why that tray is a family reminder to me. Give up? OK--I'll tell you. Grandmother's last name is on that tray standing behind the mugs.
16 Comments:
This was a great show and tell. I love the way you presented it to us. Very nice!
Susan
A wonderful show and tell. What a thoughtful husband you have..
blessings.
I so enjoyed reading the story behind those little Fiesta mugs...such precious memories they hold! I was at an antique store last weekend and I noticed they had quite a few Fiesta dishes...very collectible indeed!! xo
sMyrna, I'm so glad you have something of your grandmothers.....the Fiesta mugs are so colorful and so today.....
Thank you for visiting me and taking the time to comment on my bouquet.....Betty
This was just lovely. Such nice memories you have and it's wonderful to have those precious keepsakes.
That was a great show and tell! I love the stories about your grandmother and your Fiesta cups!
Thanks for sharing.
I love colorful Fiesta ware!
I'm guessing your Grandma's name was Curry?
Hope you have a blessed weekend, Myrna. :-)
Love and hugs,
Diane
Thank you for sharing.
This was such a wonderful, post! I loved hearing the stories about your grandma and your treasures from her are lovely!
Kelli
Thank you my mother has Cancer and it is terminal. I know it is going to be hard on my children when she passes but I know she will leave a lasting memory for them
What a wonderful post, full of such sweet memories! Thanks for sharing!!!
I really enjoyed reading this!! And the Fiestaware is so nice!! What a wonderful reminder of the specialness of grandmothers!!
His,
Mrs. U
How lovely!
My mamaw also raised 11 children and was married to a Baptist preacher! ;o)
I love fiesta! I have always wanted some myself. And you are right, everything these days is "bigger and better". Or at least the philosophy is "more is better" I think. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful show and tell. I love reading the stories behind the items!
Love your Show and Tell! The mugs are wonderful and how nice of hubby to add more colors to your collection! I just read your post about your friend Rita. My thoughts are with your family at this time as it can be very difficult for everyone especially the grandchildren. xoxox
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