Monday, October 15, 2018

Vintage Memories


Memories may fade over time
but they never really leave us

I found this to be true when
I helped my sister move our
mother into an assisted living home recently

As we packed up Mom's belongings she would say:
"Oh I remember this.  It belonged to my
grandmother or this was a wedding gift,
or your Dad gave me that."

As a young British woman living through WWII she met a handsome American GI (aka- my Dad) who frequented the pub her Father owned  

A love story began that resulted in a war time wedding.  
By the end of the war she found herself,
joining many other war brides, traveling
by ship to a far away land - America

Now, at age 94, her memory is fading
but she still has her "Vintage memories"

I was privileged to bring home
some of the pictures and treasures
that tell the story of my Mom's life
 
 Not wanting to put them away in a box unseen,
I found places to display them around my home

Pictures of the Lord Nelson Pub where my Mom grew up, my Grandfather, Mom and Dad
   This is the suitcase my Mom brought over 
on the ship when she sailed to America


Also note: My Dad's Army dog tags 
hanging over the front of the case






Picture of St. Martin's Church on the Walls, Wareham, England, up North Street from the Pub
Growing up I remember a framed picture
of this church always displayed in our home

(it now resides in her apartment at the assisted living home)

My sister and I spent hours going through
boxes of pictures, and keepsakes
and I was thrilled to find this print
of a church that has special meaning to our family

St. Martin's Church sits on the 
ancient walls of Wareham 
and has been an active 
church for over 1,000 years

Just think about the memories it holds
within it's walls



Sitting inside her teapot napkin holder is a 
 picture of her first born, (me)
at the age my Mom took me to
England on the Queen Mary for my christening




and last a vintage case holds
my Grandparents wedding picture
along with family books and bibles


 of a beautiful, brave, strong woman
who we lovingly call 
the matriarch of our family  


Mom, my Sister and Mom's 9th great-grandchild Lelia B



Every Little Birdie says


Today's moments are tomorrow's memories

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