Posts Tagged ‘family’
The Power of Christmas
Icicles (photo by Noella Cotnam)
Last year at this time we were just getting our electricity back after an ice storm blackout that lasted eight days. This was the second catastrophic ice-storm I’ve experienced, so I was somewhat ready for the mayhem that ensued, but really, it’s hard to be ‘that’ prepared. Thankfully the kindness of friends and strangers abounded. We were able to find a hot shower, a hot meal, and even internet access within a short driving distance.
I have to say that the ambiance of candlelight and the radiance of a fireplace really were a wonderful prelude to Christmas. ‘All is calm’, albeit not so bright when everyday conveniences were unavailable. It gave new definition to the saying, “let’s make the best of it”.
When I was a youngster our family hosted big family dinners at Christmas. I’m sure all of these gatherings were special, but one really stands out in my mind: it was the year the power went out in the neighbourhood. The turkey had been cooked earlier in the day, but the trimmings were only half done when the house went black. As barbecues and Coleman stoves were being set up, candles were lit, and cousins, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles gathered in the family room. It was then that a lowly guitar player strummed out the chords and everyone sang carols together. We were connected and engaged in a way we never had been before. It was special – memorable.
Anytime we are pushed out of the ordinary, there resides the possibility of the extraordinary. Whether it’s a blackout, a layoff, a heartbreak or something else that comes to challenge you at this time of year, I hope the awesome power of peace and joy reveals itself to you. Look for it. It is waiting to be found.
Merry Christmas.
Every Birthday is a Blessing!
Garden Flowers in June
If my mother was alive, she’d be seventy-three years old. She’s been gone eight years, and I still miss her. The first few years after her death, I would visit her grave site often. Somehow it gave me comfort though I never understood why. I knew she wasn’t there. Perhaps seeing her name spelled out on the granite stone helped me believe it was real.
Though my stops at the cemetery are less frequent these days, the visits I have with my Mom still happen regularly. I hear her voice encouraging me when I’m feeling uncertain – especially when I’m trying to learn something new. Just as she had said in past, “don’t underestimate yourself”, and “you can do it” still help me to believe in my abilities. As I get older I realize just how special it was to hear those words from her.
When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, it felt like our whole family got the disease too. The reality of her prognosis was devastating, but it also became an opportunity for all of us to savor the important things in life, like saying ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you’. Today I send out birthday wishes to the Universe, along with a song that I gave to my Mom years ago to try and say how I felt – and still feel. It’s a Natalie Merchant song called “Kind and Generous”. Listen Now on Grooveshark. Read the lyrics here.
The Thrill of the Hunt!
A number of years ago, I was introduced to the “auction” when a neighbouring craft and gift shop went out of business and sold all of it’s contents. I still remember the excitement of winning the bid on a ‘job lot’ (which is auction lingo for a box filled with miscellaneous stuff, kind of like an adult surprise bag ). With a friend, we quickly decided that this was an experience we wanted to repeat. That summer we found a few auctions to attend and enjoy together. There was one particularly disappointing day, where after waiting for hours and hours, the items we were interested in sold to a bidder willing to pay more than we were. On our way home, we noticed a sign for a yard sale and stopped in. It was the end of the afternoon, and I now know (being more yard-sale savvy) that the owner was tired and didn’t want to have to put his things back away. As we poked around at the contents on the tables, I found some cute wicker baskets and when I asked how much he was selling them for, he replied $.25 cents. I felt like the lady in the Ikea commercial… “Start the car!!” I thought for sure his wife would come out to yell at him and correct him on the price.
Each yard sale morning is spent wondering around the country side discovering unexpected treasures. Each experience has found one of us particularly excited about something we have found for an unbelievable price. I have honed my bartering skills, something I learned watching my Dad when I was little. Lately, I’ve been searching for old jewelry beads or parts that I can use in my creations.
I was bitten that afternoon by the yard sale bug. I have never since waited through a day at an auction. I have however, willingly and eagerly gotten up extra early on Saturday morning to venture into the thrill of the hunt.
A recent yard sale find!
Pearls
When I was a little girl, I was always drawn to my mother’s jewelry box. It was fun to try on her pretty things and play grown up. My favorite thing to do was open up a purple velvet case, that Mom always kept separate. Inside were what I came to name, her wedding pearls. It was a necklace which had been a gift from my Dad and which Mom wore on her wedding day. Luckily for me, it was my ‘something old’ and my ‘something borrowed’ on my own wedding day. As an adult, my memories are more about peeking in the velvet case, than seeing the necklace on my Mom. As my daughter prepares for her Prom, we have been hunting through an enormous number of stores looking for just the right outfit. As she tried on her dress with the necklace she had planned on wearing, she disappointedly remarked, “I don’t think it looks right”. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it earlier, maybe it was a divine reminder from above…. In any case, I offered for her to wear Grandma’s wedding pearls. It has been a long time since I opened the purple velvet case. The mystique and memories are always vivid. To my delight, they are the perfect compliment to my daughter’s dress, and the glow of happiness at the privilege of wearing them was evident. For me, it’s never about the actual value of an object, but the sentimental value that wraps itself around an object over time. Now my challenge is to make earrings to match!
memories from childhood
Easter & Chocolate Traditions
There are many traditions that wrap themselves around Easter, not least of which is egg decorating. Historically, the egg was a symbol of rebirth and new life. What started as a pagan ritual of spring was embraced by early Christians and celebrated during Easter.
I don’t remember egg decorating as a child, but I sure did love to wake up to chocolate and jelly beans on Easter morning. When my nieces and nephews were little (and not so little), we would hide scores of candy outside on my parents two acre property, and watch them scurry through the grass (and sometimes snow) to fill their baskets with loot.
This past week we had a few friends over for ‘craft night’ – which of course entailed egg dying and decorating. There is something magical about the process and I think we all felt like kids in some fashion. To feel young at heart is exactly the kind of rebirth I needed to enter into this years celebration.
Family Craft Day
This past weekend our family gathered together to honour a tradition started by Mom many, many years ago. Family craft day is an event not to be missed. If you look around the homes of my siblings, you will note that many of the Christmas decorations gracing the walls, end-tables and trees were made on Craft Day. This year we made wonderful wire ornaments wrapped in the shape of stars, balls, snowmen, angels and more. Beads and stained glass were woven into the design, all with wonderfully unique results.
For all the anticipation and stress of the Christmas season, I always look forward to this special day. Even my nieces and nephews still enjoy this day, and as they venture into their own apartments and start having families of their own, they feel even more compelled to carry this event into their futures. Family activities and gathering spell Christmas to me, and I’m so glad craft day is part of our family’s tradition.
A Place to Share Stories
We are sisters – Susan and Nancy. We treasure the simple things in life. From the time we were little girls, we were encouraged to practice traditions commonly passed on from mothers to daughters. The most cherished lessons were taught by our Mother’s example. As children, our Mom used to make all our clothes. She baked cookies for our school lunches. At home every meal was an opportunity to celebrate family. We grew up understanding that hard work reaped great rewards, that being thrifty meant we had more to share, and that working with our hands and our heart is a wonderful way to breathe life into the world. Our Mother’s name was Marie Isabel. She lost her battle to ovarian cancer in 2001, but the legacy she left us continues. It is in this spirit that we create for Isabel Designs.
Now we want to hear your story. This blog is intended to be a place where we can all share the legacies that our Mother’s created. If you are carrying on traditions handed down to you from your Mother or Grandmother, we’d like to hear about it. If it’s as simple as following her recipes, or having similar penmanship, tell us why it’s special to you.
Photoblog
