| One of the things I love most about Christmas time is the chance to drag out all the holiday heirlooms. My house is stuffed full of the old and worn loved items of my ancestors and now I get to kick it up even more! A few of my favorites: Ornaments & Stockings I've had this lovely white porceline bell since I was 3 (that's 40 years for those counting!) It even has "Jodi 1973" inscribed on the back - apparently I was a very talented 3 year old :) It's also the only ornament I don't let my kids hang on the tree. 
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Stockings are quite special because, in our family, they are home made (mostly.) I'll remember not to hang my stocking next to my husband's next year - the difference in white is a little too obvious. My grandmother Holly made my stocking. I don't remember a Christmas without it. I made my husband's and both my daughter's as well. My mother made my son's. I also made stockings for my nephews...and anyone else who will let me! I love love love the care that goes into making a unique, individualized heirloom. These are very welcome ghosts indeed. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Copyright (c) 2013, Family at Your Fingertips, Jodi Bash |
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This is truly one of my favorite sibling photos. The little girl is Annie Anderson, my great grandmother. In my notes the boy was identified as her older brother George. However, George was about 8 years older than Annie so that seems unlikely. Maybe it was David who was only 2 years older than she? Annie was born in 1882; if she's 5 in this photo the year was about 1887. In 10 years both her parents would be dead. Annie, one of the younger of her parents 16 children, lived with a local Doctor and was well cared for until she met and married my great grandfather, John Guthrie, in 1900. What's striking about this photo is that both children look a little sad, maybe even scared. These are not at all the emotions I see on my great grandmother's face in more recent photos. She almost always had a big smile on her face. Annie had 11 happy children of her own, a long life and marriage, and a lot of smiles. Old photos often look more somber than the reality - of course NO one could hold a smile as long as it took a camera to take the picture! Maybe she just hadn't had her nap that day ;) 
Copyright (c) 2013, Family at Your Fingertips, Jodi Bash
 Today Ila Marion Lovelady Borchardt would have been 104. She wasn't related to me. She was the grandmother of my first husband, a great-grandmother to my children, and a woman I never knew. The one thing I can say with certainty about her is that she was loved. She was likely loved by a lot of people, but it's her grandchildren that stick out in my mind. This woman meant the world to both of them. I had grandparents of my own that walked on water so I didn't miss out on that emotion. And from what I understand many people can relate to that. Grandparent love is almost universal.
When my son was playing a solo music piece for big grade he was understandably nervous. Other players and parents were lined up waiting their turn. One mom had advice for the kids I'll never forget. She said "When you go in and sit down, think of your grandparents there with you. It will almost always calm you down." Now I don't know how much scientific evidence there is behind the "calming grandparent" philosophy, but my son said it worked. And I'm not ashamed to say I've used it a time or two as well with great success. These parents of our parents can love us without the stress of raising us; they can support us without expressing fear that we're going to fail; with new found patience they can teach us things they couldn't their own children; they can even scold our parents! They are unconditional. They are amazing. If you still have one alive, take time to tell a grandparent how much you love and appreciate them. Copyright (c) 2013, Family at Your Fingertips, Jodi Bash |
AuthorI'm Jodi. Lover of genealogy, graveyards, and stuff that's old.   Categories
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