Miss Sandy of Quill Cottage is hosting an “I Remember Laura” blogathon on Mondays through the month of June in memory of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author if the “Little House” series of books. There will also be an art swap going on each week in connection with the theme: Click on the picture for more information. Also throughout the month she will be sharing parts of an interview with Laura Ingalls Gunn of Decor to Adore, a fourth cousin of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I do distinctly remember the little shepherdess figurine that was always on display in Laura’s homes and how it just made each place feel like home. Though our little treasures are just “things,” yet they do give us that feel of homeyness and a link with our loved ones’ memories.

Unfortunately, for various reasons there hasn’t been much in the way of family heirlooms passed down from my ancestors. But I do have a few things, most of which have appeared on my blog before.

This is a crocheted bedspread made by my great-aunt Dot. I told more about it here.

My mother, Dorothy, was named for her, and I remember her and another great-aunt as a pair — it seemed like they were always together. We had this on our bed for a while, but, for being crocheted, it is very heavy, so it is in the closet for now.

Last fall my step-father and sisters came to visit and brought a big box of mostly pictures and papers. What a treasure trove! My mom’s baby book was in there as were the recipes I shared a few weeks ago. But one of my favorite things was this college graduation book of my mother’s mother. Her name was Harriet, and I hadn’t known before that she went by Hattie:

Inside was a place for autographs, school colors, and a homecoming ribbon:

Her school song:

And notes from the Commencement sermon:

My grandmother passed away when I was four years old. To have some her her things written in her own hand is very gratifying to me. I enjoyed getting to know her a little bit through these items.

My mom passed away two and a half years ago, and there are so many things in our home that she gave to us. Much of my Boyd’s Bear collection came from her. This is one of the favorite prints she gave me (she was a big Home Interiors fan):

I don’t have many things of my dad’s: he passed away several years earlier. This is a medal he earned for sharpshooting while in the service. Some day I want to make a collage or shadowbox of this plus pictures and one of the shells from the twenty-one gun salute at his funeral.

My father’s mother used to constantly have crochet projects she worked on almost any time she was still. This is a baby blanket she made for my firstborn and a doily.

At this point in time, my sons aren’t terribly interested in family heirlooms, but I wasn’t either at their age. I hope they will be in the future, Miss Sandy mentioned Laura was the memory keeper of her family, and that’s what I want to be. Some years back I began writing down some family stories mostly as a way to trace God’s hand in our lives after hearing a message from Psalm 78:

4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:

7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

I need to get back to that! I have also saved letters I have written to them through the years. I have a box for each of them with cards, notes, some of their art work, etc. I wished I had saved things more systematically — when they were little I was doing good just to toss a few things in a box. I also hope to see some of the things I have made in a grandchild’s room one day. 🙂 I’ve mentioned before that most of the things I’ve made have been for gifts and I didn’t have many at home. But the room I made the most things for was my children’s room when they were little. Most of those things are packed in the attic, but this was one of the first things I made and one of the last to be taken down.

Of course, I know that when they marry, their wives will have their own tastes and decorating ideas, so I don’t want to “push” the idea of their using anything from their childhood room, but I want them to feel welcome to them. I have thought we’ll probably have a playroom or something for grandkids and we might put some of those things up there.

Thanks so much to Miss Sandy for hosting this blogathon. I have enjoyed the focus each week and meeting new bloggers who have some of the same interests. I didn’t participate in the art swap (would have loved too — just didn’t have time) but when she receives those things she will post them.