The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Building up treasures.

One of my treasures is the Bible belonging to my Great Grandmother, Annie Susannah. She had thirteen children and my Nan L was the youngest. Her Bible was given to me after Nan died. I could see it was the real deal as soon as I opened it. It was well worn from use, it had pencil markings of where she had been up to and highlighting bits. There were newspaper clippings and pretty cards from her children. Oh ! lovely! It felt very personal.




My Nan was Cora Jean. One of the cards is from her in her writing which is beautiful to have. "To Mother from Cora" :) Nan was so little when she was born she came home in a shoe box with cotton wool around her. 

These cards and things I found and read and little newspaper clippings etc. one is an article about Billy Graham in 1946 it seemed she had kept it because of the beautiful message from Billy Graham.

I did not find right away the best thing. The finer the paper the more things hide between the pages. And like many things there are treasures that you miss if you don't look.

I found this. The first time I read it I sobbed. I felt it in my heart. It is a letter Great Grandma got when Great Grandpa died. And she kept it tucked in between the pages.

I will let you read it for yourself. I am struck by the quality of the words, the meaning, the feeling, the message, everything.





Every time I read it, it gets me. What a treasure. It's like going back in time with my Great Grandmother.

I think of her often. She influenced my life through Nana very much. 

And this is how it is. What we do now forms a foundation that will influence our own children and theirs and the ones after that. I feel the influence of previous generations everyday and it is as if both my Nanas are still living the way I talk about them so often! 

Reading Laines Letters I knew what I was doing back then was forming a foundation and was important work. I'm so glad I knew that! I didn't believe the world that I was wasting my time and talents. But this is a message lots of young Mums get! If I can encourage one Mother that her work is priceless I will be happy. 

And since I have learned and realised that Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers are as influential as the Mother, or can be. Maybe now that Lucy is married I am thinking about these things and the meaning of it all! And I hope the pages of my Bible bless and amaze my great grandchildren just as much.











3 comments:

  1. How beautiful and heartfelt that letter is. I've had to keep taking off my reading glasses to wipe the tears. xoxo

    The legacy we leave behind is of utmost importance. A beautiful reflective post today Annabel xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Today's texts and emails can't begin to offer the legacy of a handwritten letter, dated and signed, using carefully chosen, gracious words. That letter contains such a richness of kindness and sincerity to your great grandmother. It's an inspiration to make our (my!) words count; to offer similar kindness and comfort.

    I will endeavour to write more cards and notes to my own dear children. Perhaps they will return to them in times when encouragement is needed.

    Your post is very appreciated. Jane T.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Jane. I am amazed really by as you say, the gracious words, the sentiment, and that it was preserved....
      I am inspired too, to make sure I write more handwritten things. I know the words we say are important and lasting, I think I am just starting to understand how much! Thank you.x

      Delete

I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

Spam is never published... if you are advertising a product or selling website your comment wont be published. I am inundated with stuff about drugs, horses and weird things! I am not going to publish this stuff! Thank you.