I need to talk myself into this....
My grandmother, Minnie, who totally rocked, would always tell me..."Donna Lynn (all girls from Texas have 2 names - I knew when I was little that only the unloved girls had just one name) I am not afraid of work...I can lay down right beside it and go to sleep."
Don't you love that?
Minnie told me that having silver was a wonderful thing, but then she would wink and add that it was even more wonderful to have someone clean it for you. I do have her silver, sadly I have never had anyone clean it for me.
She loved to meet my friends, always measuring folks with her special yardstick..."Donna Lynn, she seems like a sweet girl, but does she set a nice table?" To her setting a table was a barometer on how much we care about our family and guests. As harsh as that sounds, I understand it. Going to a little extra trouble makes folks feel more important. And that is what she liked to do. Just make people feel better....and she knew food, a great story and a comfortable chair could do that......but she never took it all too seriously, we ate Thanksgiving dinner at half time of the Texas - Texas A&M game!
Every time I set my table I think about her. She didn't save her things, Minnie assumed that every day was a special occasion. "Y'all will never know what tomorrow brings...enjoy today."
My grandmother loved to fish, she loved jewelry, plants of all kinds, me....and her "things". I have most of her things, my silly cousins didn't marry very well, so when she passed away, they didn't want the silver. My husband wondered why I wanted it too. He thought it was just a lot of work. And it is.....but it soothes the soul.
OK, I feel better, got to get back to work, silver to polish, plants to water....Y'all have a great day!!
Hmmm - I got a bunch of that in my bloodline too! My favorite Aunt Teta always said that you should use your pretty stuff all the time! "Have a grownup tea party!" I do so LOVE my pretty stuff, even when they come with the extra work.
ReplyDeleteMy mom came from the mountains and none of her immediate family had middle names and most of her male cousins had initial only names like TC and CD.
ReplyDeleteI spose anytime you gussy things up a bit it makes folks feel a little better.
You have a wonderful time cleaning that silver Donna Lynn.
I know I feel special bringing out the good stuff so it only follows that guest would too. I never could understand having something so precious that you were afraid to use it. Or drive it. Or wear it. I say use it until it's worn out - or until you are and then you can pass it along to someone who will love it like you do. Good for you, Donna Lynn - make that silver shine! I'll bet your table is always lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think your grandma sounds like a neat lady!
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I loved hearing about your grandmother, Donna. And, I know she loves that you have her silver!! ;) blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI loved this post donna Lynn!!!
ReplyDeleteI think I would've loved to have been raised in a Texan family.
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