Family Mementos

Canyon Girl posted a picture of some lovely china a few days back. As random things will often do, it started my mind running back to the things that I have, that belonged to my Parents, Grandparents and Great-Grandparents. I'm fortunate to live in a house that has been in my family since the 1920's, so I am surrounded by what remains that belonged to all of them.

From my great-grandparents, I have just a few things. My favorite is this vanity set that belonged to my Great-Grandmother, my Grandfather's Mother. It's so pretty and delicate, and the few chips just remind me that my relative from the Victorian age used and appreciated it.





My Grandmother was the first who actually lived in this house. She had moved several times, which always causes breakage and damage, and was, besides that, an extremely practical lady. I remember my Grandmother, but not at her best. She died when I was 12, and had suffered from senile dementia for several years before that. I have several pieces of cookware that were her's, but only these "pretties." It was probably part of a tea set of some kind.




My Mother came to this house when she married. Much of what is in the house today reflects her taste and character. She was another practical lady, who was an adult during the Depression, and struggled, like many other people. That period of time molded her character. She very rarely bought anything that wasn't useful.

But, during the '50's and early '60's, women collected pretty coffee cups. For some reason, my Mother fell victim to this craze. She bought several sets of cups and saucers, and used them whenever we had company.




Inconsequential things, all, not worth anything except to me. But, I'm glad I have them around me, to remind me of who I came from.