Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Educating the young on the principle of value . . .


Continuing on the subject of keeping parent’s things, let me ask you this:
When did you start saving things? Did you take it upon yourself to put something in a safe place for the sake of saving it? Did you have some future plans for the item, such as to use it again? In the good old days, girls had ‘Hope Chests’, also called a dowry chest.  It was used to collect items such as clothing and household linen by unmarried young women in the planning and saving for marriage. The collection of a trousseau was a common coming-of-age rite until approximately the 1950s; it was typically a step on the road to marriage between courting a man and engagement.

I was curious to see if hope chests are still popular and was amazed that they are. I Googled hope chests and found a plethora of sites offering all kinds of sizes and styles of chests. But I want to know if today’s millennium generation even care about hope chests, because what I read today about how they are not interested in their parent’s things, why would they want a hope chest?
Then I read this statement found at http://www.ehow.com/about5081518_significance-hope-chest.html

“The tradition of keeping a hope chest for young, unmarried
women has waned in popularity since the 1950s. With more women choosing to marry later in life or not at all, many women begin their households long before they seriously contemplate marriage. However, there is a growing resurgence in interest in the tradition of keeping a hope chest among traditionalists and those seeking to return to societal rituals of the past.”

This is good news. However, saving and putting things away for marriage or that rainy day needs constant reinforcement by the older generations who have grown up with the understanding that saving and preserving family history is vital to the survival of not only the family, but the individual. Here are a few right-on quotes that will open the eyes and minds of everyone who read them:
“Keep some souvenirs of your past, or how will you ever prove it wasn’t all a dream?”

You live as long as you are remembered.  Russian proverb
People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.”     Edmund Burke 

"Do not forget things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your children's children." Deuteronomy 4:9
You can find a lot of old memories when you clean out your closet.
"Preserve, Protect, Display. Create your Family Museum today!"
Family Museum Creator

I will be on a holiday for the next two weeks, so while I am gone, please read some of my past posts and send in your comments. Thanks again for visiting my Blog.          Liz

Monday, May 11, 2015

Happy Mother's Day . . .


How was your “Mother’s Day?” Were you pampered by husband and kids? Spent the day with your mother, or assorted mothers: mother-in-law, step-mother, foster mother? Were you left alone to do your own thing? Did you go out for dinner? Open presents? Sleep all day? WOW!  

So many things and I bet you didn’t even have control over your day. But that's ok!

That was the way it had been for me for many years. Being torn between obligation and appreciation. So what does Mother’s Day have to do with your Family Museum? Well, I’ll tell you. When you set aside that special place in your home for the display and preservation of your family heirlooms, you can put the many gifts you received from this and past Mother’s Days in your museum.

Perhaps you saved some precious things that your mother kept from her celebrations. By visiting these treasures you can recall those extraordinary moments, long dormant in the recesses of your brain. And when the day is over, gifts and cards opened, meals eaten, kisses and hugs until next time, you should feel pretty proud of yourself that you are appreciated and then do yourself a favor; save the cards, even gift wrappings, ribbons & bows (that you can use again) and place the gifts in your family museum. If not an object, a photograph of the eventful day. It doesn’t take much time or effort to create a memory, because that is what life is all about.
 
If you have the time, please read my past Mother’s Day blog posted on Friday, May 9, 2014. One of the few things I saved over the years that is precious to me is a little book and diary of my first foray into motherhood. And there is a moral to the story, too.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

In the Merry Month of May


 
The month of May is one month full of fanciful events. Mother’s Day, Holy Communions and High School Proms. Each one of these celebrations produces items of remembrance that hopefully are kept and cherished over the years.  And these special things should be displayed and protected in your Family Museum.
 

Let’s start out with Holy Communions.
As this is a Catholic ceremony, so for all blog readers who are not of this persuasion or have interest in this ritual, it still may offer some edifying entertainment for you, especially the fashion aspect, because, believe you me, there is much ado about preparing for this Holy Day for both the little girls and guys.


I made my Communion when I was 8 years old. The ceremony was held at the Sacred Heart Church in Chicago. I can’t remember how many of us marched down that long aisle, but I do remember my dress and shoes. They were both borrowed from a cousin who was several sizes larger then me both in dress and shoes. I think the veil was new. I also received a little white purse, my own prayer book and rosary beads.  What I do remember more than anything was the party afterwards. All the Italian relatives came and they all ate, drank and sang to their hearts content. This picture of me proudly standing in the living room is a testimony to keeping the family heirlooms: I still have the piano, the vase sitting on top of the piano, the picture hanging on the wall, and even the chair. Gracious! Time sure flies.

My daughter Tiffeni wore this beautiful Communion dress hand-made by her aunt. She look very angelic and as proud as could be, marching down the aisle of the St. Mary’s Church in Mokena, Illinois. Afterwards, as tradition goes, a fine party was held in her honor with of course all the Italian relatives on my side (the ones that were still living) and a few Lithuanian’s from my father’s side. And family and friends from her father’s Norwegian/Germany side.  Great party!
Next came my son Charlie’s Holy Communion, celebrated at St. Bead’s Church in Williamsburg, VA.  He wore a traditional navy blue blazer and white shirt with a white tie. A tie clip adorn the tie.  His pants were white, but not for long. After the ceremony, he received a candle, prayer book and the little statue decorated his cake.
Again a large party with family and friends. Charlie said he didn’t remember much of that day, however, all the saving bonds he received went to buying his first dog, Sophie. Now that’s special!       
Mother's Day is next!