My Memory Shelf
I have two shelves in my room by my side of the bed. I recently decided that these shelves would be reserved for trinkets and photos that remind me of my loved ones. The top shelf has my favorite photos of me and Jeff and a photo spread my mom made from when we went to England - the best trip ever.
The bottom shelf is full of trinkets that remind me of my mom.
Here are the items:
- Jar of oragami stars: I learned how to make oragami stars in 2002 while I was on a mission trip with Los Angeles Urban Project (LAUP). I went through a phase where I'd collect star paper from Chinatown and make them en masse. I never knew what to do with all of them so I'd give them to my mom in little jars. She took all those stars, color coordinated them, and put them in cuter jars with matching ribbon. They decorated her scrapbook room (ahem, MY old room!).
- Original Edition of Gone with the Wind: My dad gave me this copy of my mom's all-time favorite book the last time I was in Encinitas. He thought it'd be worth something but for now, it is worth the memory of my mom's love of reading.
- Seagull Music Box: This belonged to my Grandmama and I've broken it twice (thank goodness for super glue!). The music box plays "Yesterday." Even though it belonged to my Grandmama, my mom had such a close relationship with her that it fits the theme of this shelf. Plus, the song "Yesterday" is also fitting.
- Locket of my great-great grandmother: This is another treasure my dad and I found in my mom's dresser drawer last time I was in Encinitas. I never met my great-great grandmother but my dad told me I should have it since it's my family line (not his). So the shelf has items from my mom, her mom, and her great-grandmother.
- Black Rock: A book by Ralph Connor published in 1898, this is definitely a first edition copy. What makes this book so special is the inscription inside: To Addie Robison for attendance and scholarship from your Sunday School Teacher (written in pencil later "Judson Jones") Dec 25, 1907. Addie Robison is my great-grandmother on my Papa's side (my mom's dad). I don't think my mom ever met Addie but I know she felt some sort of kinship to her because her photos are all over our house. Also, I really like the name "Addie" - short for "Adeline."
- Cards from Mom: The last two items are two cards Mom sent me. They are the last cards I received from her before she got really sick and her penmanship became illegible. They are lovely cards, thanking me for visiting her at the start of her bone marrow transplant procedure, and lots of words of love.
Underneath the shelf, I framed a poem called "The Plan of the Master Weaver" My mom did not write this poem but she did copy it in her own writing. That was what made it special to me - that and it's a great poem! My mom had the best handwriting I have ever seen. I was slightly envious of it as a child. She also calligraphied like a pro. She calligraphied all kinds of things for me, especially for special occasion, like my wedding in particular. Her writing really was a work of art. Speaking of the poem, I'm pretty sure it struck my mom and inspired her to write it down after my grandmama passed. During a quick Google search, I found out that this poem is used on bereavement cards and I think it's an adaptation of "The Master Weaver's Plan" - a Christian poem. Maybe Mom copied it from a card she received after Grandmama's passing. Regardless, my grandmama owned a loom and weaved us all kinds of mats for our home. I'm sure the theme reminded my mom of her. Now it reminds me of both of them.
Here is what the poem says:
