Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Touched

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I’ve lived my life surrounded by the things that others have touched--made or used—loved by their hands.

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Some of those hands I touched—some were gone long before I came here—but I love those hands just the same…

 DSC02683_edited-1 {my shelf of shoes worn through the generations while being married, being babies & while dancing…}

Things worn on significant occasions…

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…pretty things used in in Victorian days…

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The 1930s piano we use daily, a gift from my great-grandmother to her daughter, my grandmother, when my mother was born…

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…complete with the baby teeth marks remaining from my mother’s teething days, lovingly left as a physical reminder of days never to come again…

DSC02694_edited-1 {a great-grandfather’s well-used ivory shaving brush}

…everyday items essential to looking their best…

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…the very old glazed pipe of my plantation-living 3rd-great-grandmother from Virginia…

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…those ever-important keys to everything—opening houses I’ve never been inside of and cars long since idled…

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…lockets and watches—treasures dearly treasured and worn every day—now tarnished and still—but treasured even more dearly…

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…baby booties created by nimble hands with hook and needles in anticipation of a new generation to love…

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…beautiful laces of all kinds—collars and trims, tablecloths and doilies—made and used by the the skilled hands of many generations of mothers before me…

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…satiny baby blanket lovingly quilted for my baby mother by an auntie that would never have babies of her own…

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…glasses worn by my little-girl grandmother—the sweet round spectacles of the 1920s…

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As I walked through my house this  quiet morning—seeing these and oh, so many more evidences of other lives--I feel surrounded by the love of all those I can no longer see….

And I am touched.

Julie

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15 comments:

  1. What a beautiful tribute! One of the reasons I blog is so that I might feel the love of my grandmothers while I write their stories. I know they are with me.

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  2. Oh thank you, thank you for sharing these precious memories with us. It makes me miss my grandparents all the more

    God Bless,
    Meri

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  3. I am the same way..I surround myself with things that have meaning and make me happy. I love your beautiful vintage doll. She is lovely!

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  4. I have not visited for a very long time and I am sorry for that, but I can always count on the most meaningful and loveliest posts here Julie. Come say hi again, I have missed you. Thanks for your inspiration always. I have been blessed to have things around that are things belonging to family members from the past too. I cherish all of these sweet things. Hugs to you dear friend

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  5. Such beautiful treasures and memories to have Julie! Thanks for sharing! xo Heather

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  6. And they are all probably smiling down on you, so grateful to be remembered and treasured with such love.
    great post julie!
    xoxo

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  7. Thank you for sharing such special family treasures! Looking at these photos of things so loved reminds me of things I have from family long gone....and how wonderful to have these momentos! Love this post!

    chris

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  8. Sweet Julie,
    What a treasury of sweet sentiments, loving memories, cherished family history and timeless endearments. It is clear to see that you were the one who would hold them tenderly and care for them with deepest regard.
    Thank you for sharing this beautiful post.
    Blessings to you on this March day,
    Carolynn xo

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  9. I feel those loving thoughts, too, as I look around at my treasures from generations long gone...but I could never have expressed them the way that you have. I have just recently discovered this little blog of sunshine & enjoy coming here for vintage inspiration and to just read uplifting posts like this. Thank-you for sharing.

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  10. All these treasures of yours are truly ...just that TREASURES
    It would be so amazing to hold them in your hand and think of those times past and the history behind all of them
    I was especially amazed by your pipe from a plantation ancestor...that is SO COOL

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  11. I love walking through my house and seeing the everyday treasures of my great grandmothers and grandmothers on display. The memories we hide in our hearts are the most special ones and the memories we display in our homes are tied to those heart strings. Beautiful photos and happy memories.

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  12. Love your treasures and especially how you have some personal history behind it! Good to "see" you. I check in every so often. See you on Pinterest all the time! I'm on Instagram these days "mollydiane2". Life is kind of rough right now, instagram is fast and keeps me in touch! Take care my Cal. friend!!!

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  13. Oh Julie,
    What a sweet sweet post! We are both old souls! I feel the same way about my special hand me downs from loved ones past. So very dear to our hearts they will always be.
    Special memories from special people.
    God Bless you!
    Holli

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  14. You are so blessed to have received such cherished heirlooms. Most families just throw it away and buy new these days...there is so little left to pass along.
    smiles
    Darly

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