Tuesday, October 14, 2008

STYLE AND STUFF

Her name is Edith. She was the mother of one of our childhood friends and happened to be the daughter of the doctor that delivered me.



She was the first person in my life other than my mother that I realized had personal STYLE.



I can think of any number of beautiful homes where they lived in our small town, as she loved to move and she loved to decorate.



She had wonderful things like art, dishes, and antique furniture in her house; but it was a home foremost for a family where you always felt comfortable.



She was gracious in every way!



Her only child, our friend, was killed in an automobile accident when we were in our early 30s. He was not married and had no children. Edith was naturally devastated; I don't think she ever fully recovered.

Soon after he died, she called to say she had a couple of things that she wanted me to have, then pass on to my children someday.



She gave me this beautiful Victorian fruit dish that had belonged to her father, the doctor.

And, she also gave me this tablecloth from her youth.

She said her mother always used it for Christmas morning breakfast, as the design reminded them of Santa Claus!

In the 1990s, I was visiting with Edith at a party at my parent's house. We were standing near my mother's china cabinet, where this plate was prominently displayed.


Edith said, "You know, I gave your mother that plate when you were all babies and we were young with our future ahead of us. It makes me feel good that she has cherished it all of these years."



Edith is almost 100 years old now, quite fragile, and in a nursing home. Remaining with me are three beautiful items that have passed through many hands. I know that in the end, things are just things; however, the memories they raise and the emotions they evoke are PRICELESS.



Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

10 comments:

imjacobsmom said...

Hi Sally, what a loving and touching memorial. I did see Santa's face in that tablecloth, BTW. Thanks for visiting Jacob's tablescape, and in all reality the boys ate all of the mac & cheese - after all they are teens with two hollow legs. ~ Robyn

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Sally!

What a touching story...thank you for sharing it with us! By the way, that fruit bowl is absolutely gorgeous! What treasures!!!

Hope that you're having a great day!
Warmest wishes...Chari (Happytodesign)

Anonymous said...

Morning, Sally. Oh, what a sweet tribute to Edith!! Those are beautiful treasures, too!
Okay, okay, tell your darling dauther I won't mess with her quilts!! lol
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

nikkicrumpet said...

What a beautiful story about a lovely lady. It sounds like you are blessed for having her be a part of your life. That plate is really lovely!

Pear tree cottage! said...

This is a lovely story and I enjoyed that you shared it with us all.

Now the pumpkin tree is so wonderful your autumn displays are so nice if I put up a pumpkin tree that would mean I can put christmas in the house just that little bit earlier.....then again it is coming into spring here now so pumpkins would not suit. So I will just enjoy yours instead.

best wishes from Australia

Lee-ann

Jill said...

Sally,
How sweet, what sweet memories! She really passed along a couple of dear treasures to you, they are beautiful. She sounds like she is a beautiful person!
~Jill

Anonymous said...

She's 100! Wow! She's sounds like a lovely lady. Love that victorian fuit bowl!

No that's not a Meakin plate. It's a Royal Staffordshire plate "Tonquin". I have a small brown transferware collection that I like to bring out in Autumn!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Hi Sally and thanks for popping in to see me!! Oh, that's another good line I can tell Mr. Precious!!
Thanks,
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

onlymehere said...

You're right, the memories are priceless but these items are absolutely beautiful. She must have cared for your family very much. That's so tragic about her own child but I'm glad she had you.

Bo said...

It's been a while since I've made it over for a visit, but no more because I'm adding you to my blog list, OK? This story about Edith touched me so deeply...we both lost our only child, but fortunately I have a grandson. I am so glad she has you & your family to love her. Also, those grands of yours cooking will be such a beautiful memory for them! ;-) Bo