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.

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?