Remembering With Antiques

I was very young when my mamaw passed away.  I was about to be in the 4th or 5th grade, as it was summer.  My mom worked at the elementary school at the time, and was helping out with summer school.  My papaw called to say Mamaw passed away.  I called Mom at the school to let her know.  (This is back when people didn't have cell phones on them 24/7.)  She came to the office to answer the phone and I relayed the message.  Papaw called a couple more times to see when we were coming up there, and I told him that Mom wasn't home yet.  He asked that I call her again to let her know that Mamaw had passed away.  I did...but I don't think she fully grasped what had happened.

See, her mamaw, (my great-grandmother) had just recently been in the hospital, so she had assumed it was her that had passed.  She didn't find out that it was her own mother and my mamaw that had passed until we arrived at their house.  I remember her crying, but not a lot else since it was such a long time ago.  I wished that I had known her better.  From what I hear, I have a tender heart just like her.

After her passing, my mom got some of her china and the china cabinet.  Below are a few things that Mom passed onto me.  The first is my favorite.  They sat on top of her stove, and now that's where they are in my home.

Blogger and I are not getting along right now...it won't upload my picture correctly, so here's a link to my pink McCoy vase...http://flic.kr/p/8JWFYA

And here's my white McCoy teapot.

and another link (grr at Blogger) to my blue pitcher...http://flic.kr/p/8JWF8E

and finally, a link to my old metal Snowdrift can.  In case you didn't know, Snowdrift was a brand of vegetable shortening, such as Crisco.  They just don't make 'em like this anymore! http://flic.kr/p/8JWGRf

It's not a great picture, because I didn't get it down, plus it's pretty faded, but you get the idea!

I love that my life is filled with reminders of my Mamaw through these antiques and even loved ones.  My son is named after her; Carter was her maiden name.  My niece is also named after her.  Eva Ray was her name, and my niece's name is Eva Raylynn. 

One day I'll pass these memories through antiques onto my children, but for now, they are proudly displayed in my kitchen.