This is beautiful, Suzanna! The specificity is engaging and relatable. I have my great grandma's china in my kitchen, and I really should use them every day. Thank you for this reminder and the reminder of how passed-down items keep us connected to where we came from.
Thank you so much for the comment and feedback. I love that you have your great grandmother's china - yes, use it! This prompt came from a poetry class I'm taking and I love what it is inspiring...
Lots of memories bubbled up upon reading this beautiful, relatable poem. Other than some furniture needing repair, the only two things I chose with real meaning from my parent’s house were two coin purses, one of Dad’s and the other Mom’s. The reason they’re special? I remember their dear hands opening/holding them. Thank you Suzanna. To say you have a way with words is an understatement!
I love this, Suzanna! And I relate to it. . . “The memory of us at the kitchen sink After the meal, aprons over fancy clothes, Handwashing the plates and bowls, Replacing the dishes in the cabinet, lovingly, carefully. The image of you taking out the extra table leaf. .” Oh, I could go on. . . I just loved the entire poetic crafting and heartfelt essence of What has Value Now. Thank you!
As I read your poem, I pictured my grandmother’s huge dining room table, buffet, silverware and China set for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners (Easter, too) and remembered what a rite of passage it was to move from a seat at the kids’ table to dine at the adults’ table with all the refinements of days past. Thank you for the memory.
I inherited portions of the first set of china my maternal grandmother bought, after arriving and working in America (ran a grocery store on Division St. in Chicago
I love when my daughter uses my Great-Aunt Hazel’s serving platter which no longer has any design or gilt. It’s worn plain by frequent use and memories and love. It reminds us of holidays with her.
Thank you, Suzanna. Your words brought back many sweet memories of a time long ago. I love your advice to use Grandma's china every day and put it in the dishwasher because "gilt is not the true value of things". Amen.
I can relate to this, especially at my age when I am looking at things I have collected over the years.
A minister I know who moved frequently during his career told me, “Only hold on to things that have a story.”
It sounds like most of your things do have a story!
One of the saddest comments I hear from some people my age is, “Oh, I will just leave all this for the kids to worry about.” To me that is selfish and i responsible. (And the kids’ response might be, “Let’s go find the biggest dumpster!”)
"Gilt us not the true value if things.".....
So true Suzanna. Your thoughts in words always bring me back to memories which, to me, are the true value.
Lovely, thank you.
Yes, it is interesting what remains in our hearts.
A topic near and dear to my heart! Thank you for making me look at some things through a slightly different filter.
You have a gift for restoring those cherished things. Thank you for the comment!
This is beautiful, Suzanna! The specificity is engaging and relatable. I have my great grandma's china in my kitchen, and I really should use them every day. Thank you for this reminder and the reminder of how passed-down items keep us connected to where we came from.
Thank you so much for the comment and feedback. I love that you have your great grandmother's china - yes, use it! This prompt came from a poetry class I'm taking and I love what it is inspiring...
Lots of memories bubbled up upon reading this beautiful, relatable poem. Other than some furniture needing repair, the only two things I chose with real meaning from my parent’s house were two coin purses, one of Dad’s and the other Mom’s. The reason they’re special? I remember their dear hands opening/holding them. Thank you Suzanna. To say you have a way with words is an understatement!
I love this, Heide. Thank you for sharing. I have a cheap backpack from my aunt that I treasure as well. I appreciate your comments as always.
I love this, Suzanna! And I relate to it. . . “The memory of us at the kitchen sink After the meal, aprons over fancy clothes, Handwashing the plates and bowls, Replacing the dishes in the cabinet, lovingly, carefully. The image of you taking out the extra table leaf. .” Oh, I could go on. . . I just loved the entire poetic crafting and heartfelt essence of What has Value Now. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Cheryl. That means a lot coming from you!
Made me cry
I hope that is a good thing? Thank you!
Definitely a good thing ❤️
Tearfully beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you, Sharon!
As I read your poem, I pictured my grandmother’s huge dining room table, buffet, silverware and China set for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners (Easter, too) and remembered what a rite of passage it was to move from a seat at the kids’ table to dine at the adults’ table with all the refinements of days past. Thank you for the memory.
Ah, it all comes back, doesn't it? Thank you for the comment. I appreciate it.
I inherited portions of the first set of china my maternal grandmother bought, after arriving and working in America (ran a grocery store on Division St. in Chicago
The gravy piece is one of our keepers.
Wow, that is amazing, Ralph. Yes, I treasure the gravy boat and also an every day dish of my grandmother's.
I love when my daughter uses my Great-Aunt Hazel’s serving platter which no longer has any design or gilt. It’s worn plain by frequent use and memories and love. It reminds us of holidays with her.
Susan, that is the best...the wearing out is a sign of love.
Family heirlooms carry so much love.
Yes, it is true. Thank you for commenting!
Poignantly nostalgic. Love this. Thank you.
Thank you, Judy. Great to see you this afternoon -- what powerful poems.
Beautiful
Thank you, Michael. That means a lot.
Thank you, Suzanna. Your words brought back many sweet memories of a time long ago. I love your advice to use Grandma's china every day and put it in the dishwasher because "gilt is not the true value of things". Amen.
I learned you can't put it in the microwave apparently, but the dishwasher, yes! Thank you, Kathi!
I can relate to this, especially at my age when I am looking at things I have collected over the years.
A minister I know who moved frequently during his career told me, “Only hold on to things that have a story.”
It sounds like most of your things do have a story!
One of the saddest comments I hear from some people my age is, “Oh, I will just leave all this for the kids to worry about.” To me that is selfish and i responsible. (And the kids’ response might be, “Let’s go find the biggest dumpster!”)
I love his advice. I have a lot of stories tied up in little things, old things, or seemingly unimportant things. They are signposts.
You'd like my post on This Old House
I will check it out! Thanks for commenting.