Growing up, my mother and I did not always see eye to eye. Especially those teenage years. Man, it was rough. At times, I felt like my mom was the meanest person alive and her sole purpose in life was to make me miserable. Silly, right? But that’s how a teenager thinks. And it wasn’t until I was a little older that realized that my mom and I fought so much because we are so much alike. I have a lot of my dad’s qualities too, but my mom and I are definitely cut from the same cloth. She’s stubborn, opinionated, and bossy, and I admit – I’m those things too. But she’s also incredibly kind. She can never say no to helping others – even if it means putting herself out. There’s been many times in my life I’ve questioned her actions – “but why are you doing that for them when they treat you so badly?” She gives without asking. She has always put herself last. She’s the best travel agent I know (you will see everything there is to see on vacation, and be exhausted when you get back home). And she’s got incredible business sense. She has helped hide women from their abusive husbands, she has volunteered for countless organizations, and she has said “yes” more times than she has said “no”. My mom is my best friend – isn’t it funny how that relationship changes over time?
Over the years, we’ve given my mom a lot grief over her teapot collection. It’s absolute insanity. The woman even has teapot wallpaper (my dad is very secure in his manhood. haha). But the tea pots were not always there. When I was growing up, my mom was working full time, going to school full time, and occasionally sleeping. lol. There wasn’t a lot of money left over for “wants” after the “needs” had been met. So after she was done with school and had gotten her career on track, it was finally time for her to enjoy something that was just for her. Enter, my mom’s Royal Dalton china. It’s a dainty design of pink roses and lavender, and it’s just so elegant looking. While I’ve only actually eaten on the plates a couple times (maybe three), this beautiful set is one that I truly love.
I’d also like to show you a couple other items that have been passed down to me that I cherish.
This unusual looking ring belonged to my great grandmother. Towards the end of her life, her 4 kids got together and gifted her a ring that each of their birthstones on it. My grandmother was given the ring after my great grandmother passed, and then my grandmother gifted it to me one birthday (although right now I can’t think of which one off the top of my head – I was definitely an adult though). The ring is almost too small for my finger, but I love the history of it. And I love being able to look down at it and think of the woman who it was originally intended for, whom I never met and have only heard stories of.
Lastly, is this tablecloth and napkin set. The same woman who owned the ring, also made this beautiful tablecloth with matching napkins. It’s delicate, intricately hand sewn, and slightly stained from over the years. And I love it just the way it is. I will probably never let my family eat a meal on top of it, but I definitely foresee some tea parties with my daughter with it being present.
Sometimes, things are not just “things”. I love being able to look at items I’ve been given from those who passed before me and being able to daydream about what their life was like then. The meals they ate, the cars they drove, and the conversations they had. At the end of the day, the “stuff” isn’t what’s important – it’s the connection to the past.
