A Legacy of Love

March 18, 2014 Leave a Comment

Image

My husband is one of 10 siblings from  a large Italian family. His mother Rosina was an exceptional mother. She baked, taught , disciplined and loved her children deeply. My husband lost his Mother Rosina over 30 years ago to cancer.The lose is still very much felt by all the family members.Only a few of her grand children were alive during her lifetime and were able to spend time with her. My sister in law Nancy has taken on the role of Grandmother with  our nieces and nephews. She keeps her Mother’s memories a part of the family traditions. She passes her mother’s  recipes down to the grand children as well as stories and memories. One of the ways Nancy has kept her mother a part of her grand children’s lives is she has made  wedding garters from her mother’s wedding dress for our nieces and our  nephew’s brides.

Nancy explains, “We just packed it  ( the wedding dress) up and left it in the attic.When my first nephew  got engaged I ask  my Dad how would he feel if I cut it up and made garters for all the grand kids, he loved this idea so much he asked to be  the one that gave it to my nephew’s bride.  So far I have made one for all the grand kids that have gotten married, I also made a ring bearer pillow out of the satin and lace of the top of Mom’s dress. I  thought I would only make them for the granddaughters, but heard some gripes from the boys so it looks like I have 20 more to make.  Hope I have enough fabric!”

We had a family wedding this part weekend. Our nephew Justin married beautiful Erika. Nancy made the garter and Erika proudly wore a piece of Grandma Rosina’s wedding dress as part of her something old,But what she really wore was a garter belt with a piece of this large Italian family’s legacy of love.

Image

A Grandmother’s love is felt for generations after they have left us.How has your grandmother’s love been passed down to your grandchildren?

Filed Under: How to be a Grandma Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What are Family Treasures Worth?

March 12, 2014 6 Comments
Image
I have been lovingly given my Grandmother’s necklace shown in this photo. I have always admired the piece when my mother would wear it and my mom Fifi has decided I can now own and enjoy the treasured necklace. I understand the value of this necklace.But how can you tell the actual worth of a piece of jewelry, china or any family heirloom? The first thing to do is collect known information about the item’s history. Ask  family members about the piece.. For example, did Grandma buy her beautiful ring or receive it as a wedding gift? What is the estimated date of its creation or purchase? Who in the family has owned the item? Where was it stored?  What is the  value? In other words, what do family members believe it to be worth, or what was told of it from one generation to another? Make note of any stories about the item to pass down with the item to your grandchild. The monetary value may be one thing to determine but the true value is the sentimental value. Who in our family has owned and loved this piece and how can the next generation learn the value of treasures from Grandma. My mom Fifi remembers going to the jewelry store as a young adult with her parents and seeing her beloved father Rocco purchase this necklace for her mother Angela.I cherish the fact this valuable heirloom has been in our family for over 65 years and will be handed down to my grandchild. The value of this necklace is priceless.
What family heirlooms do you own and what will you tell your Grandchild about the treasures ?
Here is a way to be involved with passing treasures to family members: This is from the current Oprah O Magazine

My grandmother’s Project 296 is named for her Ohio address. She invites one of her children per weekend to help tackle a closet or a section of the basement. (Only one—any more, she says, and they’ll stay up late talking and lose focus.) With their help, she’s digitized her photos and recipes and made books that tell family stories, like the reason we eat oysters on Thanksgiving. And she’s assigned colored Post-it notes to each kid’s family, which we can use to claim furniture we’d like to inherit. I’ve got my eye on the four-poster bed my mom slept in as a girl.
—Abbe Wright

 

Filed Under: How to be a Grandma Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

God Made Them Each Uniquely Different

March 10, 2014 Leave a Comment
I would like all my grandchildren and children to know that Jesus loves them. I would like them to know that there is no one who is exactly like them because God made them each uniquely different with them having their own unique gifts.  I would like them to feel loved and be able to face the challenges of this world.  I want them to know the love of family and friends and to be able to love us in return.
Love them all, Grama Sandy
 
Image

 This is a photo of Sal and His new baby sister Carla.

These are two of Grama Sandy’s Grandchildren.

 

Filed Under: How to be a Grandma Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How Do You Want to be Remembered ?

February 21, 2014 2 Comments

Earlier this week I asked How to be a Grandma’s Facebook Friends, What single thing reminds you of your Grandma ?  A scent, item or place ? The answers I received were telling of how the smallest detail can leave a lasting impression on a child. The items most listed  were foods: Spaghetti, Meatballs,Candies, and Sweets to name a few. We had a friend list Virginia Slim cigarettes and another tell me a Martini was a reminder of Grandma. Places and Holidays ranked high on the list too.How a certain anthem played caused a Grandchild,who is now a Grandma, to  remember her Grandma’s loyalty to the crown. The lasting impressions a Grandma’s choices make can leave a Grandchild with fond memories.

Today I ask all of you How do you want to be remembered .For your love of life ? Your joy in the kitchen. How you rescued stray animals and nursed them back to health? Maybe your spirituality or your ability to sing a song that brings a tear to an eye. I for one will most likely be remembered for my love for the ocean and family.

Today  think back on memories of your beloved Grandma and take a look at how you will be remembered. 

Image

 

Filed Under: How to be a Grandma Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

My Grandmothers are Incredibly Strong and Admirable Women

February 13, 2014 Leave a Comment

Submitted by Hannah Gonzales (age 16 )

Nowhere in the world is as safe as grandma’s house. When you’re a kid, it’s the most comfortable place you can think of. The memories of being young and being at my grandma’s house stick out to me in the form of snapshots, little bits and pieces of sensations, like the always-present-yet-faint scent of strong perfume, or the way the light shines through the sitting room window on lazy afternoons. I remember how going to grandma’s house always meant that I was in for a treat, and whether it be a glass of homemade orange juice or a painting lesson, it never failed to excite me. I’m reminded of exactly how it felt to be there when I was younger and of all of the adventures I went on with grandma. Everything seemed so much bigger then; a trip to the store or to the beach seemed as if it was the trip of a lifetime. And yet, something so small, so mundane, lingers among my fondest memories.
My Grandma Toni, who was my dad’s mom and passed away in 2008, was, and remains to be, one of my favorite people that I’ve ever had the privilege to meet and get to know. She had quite the eccentric personality, and almost everything she did or said was hilarious. Her sense of humor was always shining, and there was very little that she would take seriously. She always took my side no matter what, and whether it be standing up to the preschool bully, or persuading my dad into getting me some new toy, she never failed at making sure that someone got what they deserved. Toni managed to make everything fun – we literally fed seagulls in the Big Lot’s parking lot every day, and it was actually made enjoyable. I’ll never forget all of her antics and all of her stories and everything that she’s taught me. I look up to her for her strength and for all that she’d gone through. I know that she didn’t just touch my life, but the lives of many others as well, and I will always remember her for the inspiration that she is.
My Grandma Fifi has always been a huge influence on my life, and she has taught me more over the years than I can ever put into words. Ever since I was a little girl, she has always been there for me, and she’s served so many roles in my upbringing; as my guide, my teacher, and my best friend. There are so many outstanding traits, and yet what I really admire is Fifi’s creativity and talent. She was the first person to really teach me how to draw and paint, and I cannot thank her enough for all of the time she’s spent with me and for all of what I’ve learned from her. Her artistic talents and visions expanded my own creative mind, and her motivation is my inspiration. Fifi’s strength and her undying love are radiant and encouraging, and I am so grateful for all of the memories that we have shared.

Both of my grandmothers are incredibly strong and admirable women, and I love them more than I can put into words.

tony

Hannah’s Grandma Toni

Filed Under: How to be a Grandma Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

” It’s a Trust unlike any Other in Your Life”

February 10, 2014 1 Comment
Submitted by Glenn Harris Jr. :
According to legend, I named my grandmother Phyllis “Fifi” when I was a young child… just because Phyllis “was too hard to pronounce”. The same went for my other late grandmother Geraldine…she became “Gigi”. Since then, they both all but filed for an official name change with the US government. To this day, everyone we know calls them “Fifi” and “Gigi”. I must have made this decree no older than the age of 5, and it probably took me no more than 5 seconds to rationalize in my young head.
Nevertheless, both of these grown women adopted this dramatic life change with no hesitation. I believe at one point I even heard “Gigi” tell a doctor very late in her life, that her name was in fact “Gigi”, during a grave health situation. The best thing I can say, is that is the nature of the relationship with your grandmothers. It’s a trust unlike any others in your life. A friendship you never question.
I was blessed incredibly well when it came time to hand out family, and there is no better indication of that than Fifi, who has always encouraged me that if I’m having too much fun….have some more fun. 
photo (2)
Filed Under: How to be a Grandma Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

” Lead by example on how to be Respectful “

February 7, 2014 1 Comment

Sue G. Submitted :Always tell them you love them. Give them plenty of hugs and kisses.
Don’t say NO all time; let them be kids and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Remember a little dirt is good for everyone. Lead by example on how
to be respectful and have good manors. Most of all, take them to church
with you and teach them about God and how to love one another.Image

Filed Under: How to be a Grandma Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
%d bloggers like this: