I can't tell you the best present I have ever had cos usually I am just chuffed that someone thought enough of me to buy me something, however small.
But I can tell you the best present I have ever given! Sounds a bit vain doesn't it but the only reason I am saying that is because it was a present that came back to me and mine, ten fold, a few years later. Any guesses what it was? No? Well it was just a book called The Grandparent's Book.
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| Ours is a bit trendier than this one! But you get the gist. |
Then a few years went bye and then my mum became ill. She had been ill for about 6 months when the subject of the book was brought up again and she became quite agitated as she had been unable to fill it all in.
So I would sit with the book and a pen and she would dictate to me what she wanted to say. She didn't have to think too much as the book basically asks the questions and you just have to fill in the blanks. Then she took a bad turn and the book was abandoned for a while.
When it was discussed again, it was suggested that Holly sit with her, writing everything in and it could be a special time for them together.
We had more or less finished the book before my mum died. It is such a special little book because, it is all about her, in her words but written by three people: my mum, her daughter and her granddaughter.
I haven't been able to look at the book or even turn the pages but I know where it is. It now lies safely in Holly's memory box in her bedroom and one day, soon, we will read it because my mum actually had quite a remarkable life. I am now thinking about buying one for my dad too, not for Christmas but just for him to look back and tell us about his life.
It is the most precious gift that Holly, Jack and I have ever received because memories fade and get confused over time but this is an accurate account of her life told in her words.
It's PRICELESS!
Beautiful post, and I am quite tearful as I type this. A wonderful keepsake and memory of your beloved mum. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMe again lindylou! I have just referred to your post in my own blog post. Which, by the way, just got published by mistake. I had wanted it to go into Draft. I did try several times to make a link to your blog, using http://lindylou-whocares.blogspot.com but it just kept coming up as not recognized. So, I am sorry that the link wasn't there. I did try!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. And you are right, that was an incredible, priceless gift. My grandmother wrote her life in a series of journals and I absolutely love to read them every now and again. She rarely missed a single day writing. She passed away years ago and when I read them, I feel like she never left.
ReplyDeleteYou have actually given me the idea to look for a book to do for my girls. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteOdie
Thisisme - thank you. Oh don't worry about the link. It took me ages to work out how to do that myself and I am still learning!
ReplyDeleteJM - Oh I would have loved my Gran to have left Journals. I remember hearing when I was younger that she had but I have never seen it.
Odie - glad to have helped you out :)
Memories are timeless and wonderful treasures. I should do that with my parents soon because they are older and I have no idea if they'll still be around when I get around to having kids.
ReplyDeletehttp://theadorkableditzmissteps.blogspot.com
Check over my blog girlie! You got something waiting for you!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point. Our families have so many fascinating stories to tell and life lessons to impart. They also deserve to be remembered should the worst happen. Words tend to do that job better than any monument could.
ReplyDeleteGreat post...as always! I convinced my mother several years before she died to write me her life story...one of the best things I ever did.
ReplyDeleteMegan - I highly recommend it and OMG!!! You gave me an award.....your a star, thanks very much hun.
ReplyDeleteDrake - I couldn't have said it better myself :)
Chief - sounds like you are a persuasive guy :) I just think it's a lovely thing to leave behind.