March 27th... Humble Treasures...

I am working on my friend Judi's circle journal... treasures of the heart. At first all I could think of were the people in my life, past and present... even stories of those I had never met who touched my mother's life. Then it came to me. The pillow case is one that my mother hand embroidered many years ago, soft as butter with age. It is like the caress of her hand. She taught me how to embroider as a child. It is such a relaxation. Chatting or listening to the radio while creating beauty. I always love having her pillow cases on my bed. I even wrapped my wedding bouquet in one. That special. The cross is silver, worn thin... it once had turquoise enameling on it. It was given to a 16 year old boy and he carried it through the battle fields of World War I, his young daughter was given it upon his death. She was 14. She always showed it with great reverence to her daughter. It was a piece of jewelery that was kept safe too thin to wear daily. It was very special. In 1997 on her daughter's wedding day she gave it to her to wear. It was an honor and I wore it again at my mother's funeral service and her memorial gathering. I miss her. She was an amazing lady. The enameled rose pendent was given to me by my Aunt Aileen when I was born. A sweet reminder of the lady from Gadsen Alabama... I smile every time I recall her phone calls. "Why honey, how ever did you know it was me?" spoke in her lyrical voice with the southern drawl. I never told her it was her accent, I always told her that it was her loving self I recognized. So here are my treasures. Humble, yes... priceless too.