In a day or two I'll look at the messages for a second time, the little notes my mother wrote six years ago, attached to Christmas ornaments that she knew I would inherit when she died. "Be very careful" she says. "HE DOESN'T QUITE FIT DON'T FORCE DOWN HE"LL BREAK AND YOU WILL CRY."
My mother died in April, and the ornaments were shipped a few months later. When I first read these words a couple of weeks ago it was magic. Like a time machine was switched on. I was instantly transported to my 5-year-old self, my mother warning me to watch what I was doing. Ha! My mother telling me to knock it off, even now! I
love it. But why would she think I wouldn't be careful? I'm, like, a million years old now and ostensibly very grown up. Careful.
Today, stuck at home because of an ice storm, I scanned photographs from my parents' house. Wow. Who was that little person in the pictures? The little girl happily tackling the surly boys in the family, oblivious to the not-fun-ness of the situation.
The cat strangler.
Okay. Mom, when I take the ornaments off the tree (which I hate doing and always postpone) I will be very careful. Promise.
What as sweet step back in time for you. So nice that you could hear your mother's sentiments, this Christmas. Geesh you were adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you Hilary. You know, I do not remember being chubby. Only lanky and awkward, but I WAS chubby early on. Much cuter than later.
Deleteso very sweet. made me tear up.
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteYou continue to be your wonderful self. Tomorrow is the 6th .... the 12th day of Christmas.. twelve drummers drumming ........the epiphany... ending the Christmas season, so you still have time to deChristmas your surroundings. I am still packing up some ornaments myself. By February they will be collecting dust if they are left out. I think it is always such a great feeling to hold an ornament in my hands and remember a Christmas moment... a discussion.... a song or a family gathering. It's awesome to have ornaments as old as me. Thank you for sharing, Kerry.
ReplyDeleteOh Linda, what a sweet comment. I now have a few ornaments even older than I am! Crazy. I was afraid to put them on the tree.
DeleteWouldn't we all love to have another reprimand from mother:-(
ReplyDeleteYes. Sadly, yes.
DeleteI haven't put up a tree or gotten out cherished ornaments, given by a myriad of friends around the world, since Mom died 16 years ago. Partly because my heart wasn't in it, partly because I just don't have the space and mostly because I've found I'm allergic to cut trees. But I miss the memories that would float out of a gift from Russia, or Germany, or France: the person who chose it for me or the little shop in Paris where I found it. Now they've been given to the girls and I enjoy seeing them peek out of the branches on their trees.
ReplyDeleteI haven't put up a tree or gotten out cherished ornaments, given by a myriad of friends around the world, since Mom died 16 years ago. Partly because my heart wasn't in it, partly because I just don't have the space and mostly because I've found I'm allergic to cut trees. But I miss the memories that would float out of a gift from Russia, or Germany, or France: the person who chose it for me or the little shop in Paris where I found it. Now they've been given to the girls and I enjoy seeing them peek out of the branches on their trees.
ReplyDeleteI would hate to be allergic to trees. It would make living here pretty hard. Your girls LOVE having mementos from the past. Very special.
DeleteOh how wonderful to read those notes from your mother! I'm glad you got her Christmas ornaments. They will give you lots of wonderful memories of your dear mother.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda.
DeleteI just love this - your mother apparently knew you well... How wonderful to have these notes from her. The spring my mother was dying, (I was in my mid-30's), she came to our house and planted bulbs. She said when the next spring came around, she might not be with me, but the blooms would be a reminder of her. They were.
ReplyDeleteWow, Barb. That was a very special gift from your mother. Every spring you have these beautiful reminders.
Deletelove the smile on your face and the not so happy look of a boy being tackled by a girl.
ReplyDeleteHeh heh...yeahhh...they weren't allowed to hit me, luckily.
DeleteOooooh wow, how special to have those treasures!! I often wonder if my sons will want or appreciate any of my special things or all of their baby ornaments!!
ReplyDeleteOh they will, they will, they will. Some day.
DeleteThat's cool: a bit of a sense of humour from beyond.
ReplyDeleteRight? It's pretty funny. :-)
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