This swan planter may seem like an unlikely heirloom ..but it's the only thing we have that was my husband's mother's .. she died about 39 years ago and it's amazing that this planter has not disintegrated ... we had two but unfortunately some kids took one from our porch and smashed it in the street years ago... I know this is not an heirloom that will be passed down for generations ..but it's very special to both me and of course to my husband Joe.
I inherited this 'grinder' from my Mother years ago when she stopped cooking .. I have memories of her grinding garlic and chile peppers in it when she made salsa for our family when I was growing up .. It sets on our counter and we still use it today ... My mother was born in Mexico and only cooked Mexican food for our family so she used this 'molcajete' a lot.
This bracelet is probably the most important and treasured 'heirloom' I have .. My Father gave it to my Mother when she was 18 years old ... she never took it off until about 10 years ago when she gave it to me for Christmas ... When I opened the little gift box and saw what it was, I could only stare at it and then at her ... I asked her why she was giving it to me and she said"because I want to see you wear it with a happy heart"
I've never taken it off since ... My Mom is 90 years old.
It is truly my most treasured heirloom.
My Mom also gave me these other bracelets one at a time ... she has always worn multiple bracelets and she has given both me and my sister bracelets off of her wrist .. I have been wearing the other three for over 45 years .. at least... I never take them off and neither does my sister Susu.I just ran across Marie's blog at
Emma Calls Me Mama
... I love that name ... how sweet. .. I love her blog and spent some time reading about her wonderful family heirlooms .. what great stories ... I was also excited to join in on the fun and post pictures and share a story or two about my heirlooms .. So I walked around my house with my 'camera phone' to find just the right things to share ...Well, to my surprise we don't have any heirlooms .. as sad as that sounds, it's true .. Both my husband and I come from families who really didn't have much to pass down .. and if there was anything we were not lucky enough to get them ..Funny thing is that I never realized this until today ...so as sad as that is I guess it's OK since we never thought about it .. My house is filled with so many antiques and collectibles that I hope will some day become heirlooms for our children and grand children ...and it also made me think that maybe this is one of the reasons that I do enjoy collecting so that I can leave things to pass down to my family.
So after walking around the house I did find the swan and my Mom's grinder... then as I sat typing I looked at my wrist and saw my most treasured possession .. My Mother's bracelet.
I would consider that beautiful swan a family heirloom. I think it only matters how you feel about it in your heart. The story about your Mother giving you the bracelet was loveleigh. It brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet thing she told you when she gave it to you, that was a gift in itself. Thank you for sharing your heirlooms and your stories and have a fantastic Friday!
ReplyDeleteI love the story of the bracelets... how wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog!
~Amy
That swan is beautiful! And so many memories are in that grinder! The bracelet from your Mom is so lovely and the story behind it is so sweet! Thank you for sharing your wonderful treasures!
ReplyDeletewhat a delightful post!!..i love that swan but above all i love your bracelets, they're the real treasures :)
ReplyDeleteBuongiorno Tia Betty,
ReplyDeletebeautiful memories and more memories are in the making. Ciao
Hello Betty - thank you for joining the party! That swan is so beautiful. I'm so sorry about the other one that was vandalized! Love your Mama's bracelets. They are amazing. What a special gift from her!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
It took me awhile to read farther after I read that someone did that to one of your swans.. I'm so sorry. I'm glad that you still have one though :)
ReplyDeleteIt's rare, but wonderful to see something passed down that was used to cook. I can only imagine the fantastic meals it was used for.
The story of the bracelet made me tear up. Thank you for sharing it.
rue
I just adore your mother's bracelets and can just imagine your grandma using her grinder! What fabulous items you have for always. :o)
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying seeing everyone's heirlooms and the stories that go along with them. Love the swan planter. And I love, love, love the bracelets.
ReplyDeleteHi Betty, So glad to see you hooking up with parties! You have some real sentimental treasures from your mother in the bracelets! How sweet that Joe has the planter that his mother used. I had a molcajete, but I think it got lost in our last move. It came from a grandmother who used it to grind corn. Stay in touch! glad your mom loved her fiesta! hugs, Sue
ReplyDeleteAww what sweet heirlooms! Sorry to hear about someone smashing the other swan. I also love my family treasures solely for memories and not value :)Love those bracelets!
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Allison