Heirlooms

The reason I chose "Heirlooms"as my blog name is really paying homage to my mother.
She had few possesstions when she left her family farm in Iowa and traveled to San Diego in the early 1940's. She was 18 years old.
I remember when I was growing up she'd show me things around the house, telling me "That came from the farm" (meaning home) and go on to tell a little story about it.
The above picture is a cocoa pot that her Aunt Laura gave her for her birthday when she was 9 years old. And in my mom's house, she always had it displayed with the rose plate..which I can't recall how she aquired that.
My mom frequented thrift stores before it was in vogue (as she would say) and back then they were called Second Hand stores. She found the most beautiful antiques, bring 'em home and refinish them. She would call it "junkin'" when she ventured out to her favorite shop.
When I married, she'd often pass something along to me --either from "the farm" or a second hand store. It didn't matter where it came from for me, it just mattered that it came from my mom, because then it became and heirloom to me.
17 years ago my mom was stricken with an aneurysm and went to be with the Lord. At times I miss her so much I can't breathe. She was my biggest cheerleader, encourager, and prayer warrior.
So now these "heirlooms" of hers take on a whole new meaning. I look at them as evidence of her existence, a reminder of the stories she told me, of the beauty she made in our home.
So now, when I redecorate, I always put that cocoa pot with the rose plate--it just seems that it's suppose to be that way!
And now I'm passing heirlooms along to my grown children--they seem to appreciate family things too!

My dad gave me this tea set after my mom died..it has a place of honor in our dining room. Good thing I like tea parties! I put this to good use!!

My mom had a collection of hankies (except for the "E" one) and I put them under a glass tray I painted. The milk glass pedestal bowl on the right always had fruit in it. Or she'd make a centerpiece for the dining room with fresh lemons and greens, or just clusters of grapes spilling out.
My mom was a seamstress, a crafter, and a decorator....I acquired her box of lace and trimmings and with it made this lampshade.

Obviously, around Mother's Day, I think about my mom, and I'm grateful for the lessons she taught me, the love for family, hearth and home, and leading me to know the Lord.

Heirlooms

Up in the attic

Down on my knees

Lifetimes of boxes

Timeless to me

Letters and photographs

Yellowed with years

Some bringing laughter

Some bringing tears

Time never changes

The memories, the faces of loved ones, who bring to me

All that I come from

And all that I live for

And all that I'm going to be

My precious family

Is more than an heirloom to me.

Wiseman and shepherds

Down on their knees

Bringing their treasures

To lay at His feet

Who was this wonder baby yet King

Living and dying

He gave life to me

Time never changes

The memory, the moment His love first pierced through me

Telling me all that I come from

And all that I live for

And all that I'm going to be

My precious savior

Is more that an heirloom to me.

My precious Jesus is more than an heirloom to m.

(Written by Bob Farrell, Brown Bannister, Amy Grant)