Thursday, January 22, 2004

The Jewelry Box

When I was a little girl, I spent summers with my maternal grandparents. Most of the time I hung around my grandmother. She taught me so much. I would watch her cook. She made the most incredible foods. Her peach cobbler was the best. 

It's been so long ago that I don't remember alot of things. And, the things I do remember are snippets here and there. Like the time she lost her dentures and went digging for them in the dumpster. She had a habit of wrapping them in a napkin after dinner. While clearing the table, someone accidently threw them away. So, there she was digging in the dumpster looking for what seemed like a needle in a haystack.

Another snippet, I have locked in my mind, is the time she showed me her jewelry box. My grandparents weren't rich but it looked like a pirates booty to a little girl. She showed this and that and told me the story behind it. At that time, my mom was the only one of her children who had given her grandkids. I was the only girl. My grandmom told me one day that treasure would be all mine if my Aunt didn't have any children of her own before she died.

My grandmother died when I was in the 6th grade. We lived in Florida at the time. As such, only my mom made the trek to Pennsylvania for the funeral. While there, my mom and her siblings took what they wanted of my grandmother's stuff. My Aunt and Mom split up the jewelry and my mom took the jewelry box. So, even though it wasn't mine, I got to see it often. At some point my Mom shipped the box to my brother, Andy and it got pretty beat up in the mail.

My brother, repaired the damages, the best he could, and has now shipped it to me. It still needs a little work but it's exactly as I remember it and now it's finally come back to me. A little lost memory.

*** The box above is not of the Jewelry box but it's kind of similar. It's a little darker and has two doors that swing outward. They have a wired inlay. There are two long drawers at the bottom and four smaller drawers at the top. I'll take a pic and post it here one day.***

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

My grandmother lived with us while we were growing up. I loved her so much and have tons of great memories. I still have some of her things, that I will never get rid of. Thanks for sharing, and making me think of her.

Anonymous said...

Oh...this entry made me think of my granddad. He was a farmer...he stuttered...and he was one of the best men I've even had the privledge of knowing. God, how I miss him.

XO ~ Bridgett

Anonymous said...

It's funny how the little memories get stuck in our minds and pretty much define who our late loved ones were to us. It seems you had a very loving relationship with your grandmother. I'm glad you have her jewelry box now, I'm sure she's gald you have it, too.

Anonymous said...

Memories are like little hugs from our past, hold them close and tight and feel the love. Lanny

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for posting this. I loved it. What a pretty memory. : )

Anonymous said...

Your Grandma would be happy to know you finally have the jewelry box. I am sure She is smiling down on you and so proud. You write beautifully. You have touched my heart. This is a treasure forever. Thanks for sharing your story.
Kate

Anonymous said...

Robbie,
A very toucing entry. Ive only known my grandmother and great grandparents in my lifetime. My great granddad died when I was in the 6th grade and my great grandmother died on my 18th birtday. My grandmother is still around and shes moving here to live with my mom in 2 weeks. Im so excited. Shes a wonderful lady.
Thanks for the warm flashback.
:)
chris

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that your grandmothers jewelery box came back to you where it rightfully belongs. This is one of those warm fuzzy stories I love so much, thanks for sharing Robbie =)

Anonymous said...

Oh Robbie! This is such a great entry! I'm glad the jewelry box made it's way back to you. But I bet even in th econdition it's in, it's just SO precious to actually have in your possession it makes up for all of that.

Gregg

Anonymous said...

What a nice story ... makes you feel good just reading it.
Monica

Anonymous said...

Awww.. great story. It's amazing how a *thing* can carry with it so many warm memories. When my mother goes back to West Virginia in the spring, she'll bring back a doll from my grandmother's collection for me and each of my sisters. It will be something very special to remember her by because she loved her dolls very much. :)

Anonymous said...

The box description is so beautiful. Old things handed down are the most precious, aren't they?
Mary