I suppose I have been thinking a lot about childhood lately...my childhood...and what I loved about it...the magic and the good memories, believing in fairies, getting tucked in at night, good stories and daydreams that were ever evolving.
I peeked into my daughter's room the other day. She sleeps in the Empire era brass bed that was my "big girl bed". I can vaguely remember my Dad stripping green pain off it in the narrow drive way between the houses in Queens Village. I can recall finding the mirror topped dresser at a lawn sale in Beach Lake, PA. I longed for it; my folks got it for me for my 7th birthday and my Dad -- again in that driveway -- refinished it for me. I love it still...
Charlotte loves her books and has own story for everything in her room. Her things matter to her and she enjoys slowly adding to her collections of hand made toys (one for each birthday - and one for Christmas), old Nancy Drews and even the floral headbands she loves to wear that do double-duty as a bouquet of blooms in the vase on her dresser…
There is not a single piece of new furniture in the room…it’s all old, repurposed and re-invented. Everything that wasn't mine has been pulled together from second hand shops, antique fairs and the occasional garage sale…the big green reading chair was a her 8th birthday gift, I bartered for the hutch that hides all her toys, art supplies and the mounds of books she has amassed, and the round green table was a mere $10 (me and Kath hauled out of a lonely booth on the 3rd floor of a now defunct antique mall).
Like Charlotte, each of my treasures meant something to me, I am painfully sentimental and can barely part with my kids' doodles, never mind my own 20+ year old notes I find tucked away, or the cards, the cards...the years of birthday cards.
Last week I was cleaning, trying to purge boxes of old papers in the basement and I came across a birthday card my Grandmother Sullivan gave me. Floral and embossed I opened it to find her scrawling note and a crisp dollar bill. She insisted on spelling Jennifer with a "G"; I minded the "Gennifer" then, silly me, I love it now. I closed it up and tucked it back in the pile.
I love knowing it's there; I will find it again someday.
I love knowing that Charlotte is tucking her own good memories away in her room...
xxoo Jen
Earth Angels
4 comments:
and in your own special way Jen you are helping many of us to make our own special memories. Beautiful post.
where is all her wonderful art we made together??? those pieces i know she will treasure forever and show her own children one day... her love and talent in art from such a young age....
Jen, your unique view of life is precious. I loved this post and know just what you mean. Charlotte is as lucky to have you for a mom, as is Aidan and Rory, as you are to have them for children. XOXO
Your children are soooo Bleesed to have you as thier mom:) Lov her rooom and all the wonderful treasures:)
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