Pieces of the Past

Yesterday, I spent the day at my grandfather's house. Back in September, my beloved grandmother passed away. Yesterday my grandfather assembled the group of us at his house in a belated Christmas celebration. The secondary purpose of the get together, was for my cousins, mother, sister and I to go through my grandmother's jewelry. Veronica, the black sheep cousin (she's held that role since she got pregnant at 17 and again at 19) did not go, neither did my cousin Kathleen or my late aunt's boyfriend Steve.

My mother, my cousin Theresa and I picked through all of the interesting baubles and bits, taking what we liked. One thing I noticed was that I have no recollection of my grandmother wearing the majority of the jewelry. I found pieces that screamed "Hey, Heather - grab me!" including a classy set of pearls, and a tiny anchor. Other pieces I chose because of their essence, and others still because of their potential. It makes me feel connected.

What is more of a connective thing for me were the lace and embroidered handkerchiefs that I took. Two of them have my grandmother's name embroidered on them - Jane. Another has the word Mother on a corner. Several are plain, with a tatted trim (that's what my aunt called it at least!). One of these is surrounded by a fringe of multiple shades of blue. My aunt nearly made me cry by handing it to me and stating simply "Something borrowed, something blue..." I have no current plans for getting married; I'm still lacking in the beau department, but it made me feel all warm and fuzzy that someone has faith that I'll eventually get hitched.