Birthdays . . .

Last week Thursday was my birthday. I always said that someday I would go to Paris to celebrate my day because they have fireworks and more, commemorating Bastille Day. But alas, I did not go to Paris, but I had a love time celebrating my day with my family and friends. We went out to dinner and while waiting for our food, I opened my presents. Lots of books, including this cook book. Can’t wait to try out the new recipes.

So what do birthdays have to do with a Family Museum? Plenty! When I look into our museum, I see a few precious birthday present’s given to me. It really is a wonder that I still have them.  Here is one of the earliest pictures of me sitting at the head of the table for my third birthday. There is another picture of the part and I am holding a white stuffed kitty, but this critter is long gone.

As I grew older I guess jewelry was the gift to give, so I received a blue rhinestone pin of a ballerina, and charm bracelet spelling out July, and a watch. All of these pieces are in a shadow bow with an assortment of trinkets.  

 I loved paper dolls and the Lennon Sisters were my favorite; 4 dolls and lots of clothes kept me entertained for hours. I love Nancy Drew Mysteries and when I was about 12 year old, was given my first book. Now I have a good collections of her books, movies, even a jigsaw puzzle.  That was a real challenge.

Talking about challenges, the hardest one I have had is coping with the far-to early passing of my dear friend Barbie, who would have been 57 years today. So I take a moment on this day to send her a birthday wish, hoping that she is at peace.

And as a tribute to her, Barbie was with me when I went up into my attic to find all the boxed stuff that eventually made it into our Family Museum. When she asked me what was I going to do with all that stuff, I jokingly said, “Maybe I should put together a family museum.” The rest is history, our history, and you and your family should be saving and displaying your history, too.

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.