Monday, May 28, 2012

Treasures (& memories) found

My family and I spent the weekend going through boxes in our garage (You know, those boxes that have been there untouched since we moved in almost three years ago). What a rewarding and much needed chore.

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I found some of my favorite horses from childhood. (Was anyone else as obsessed with Breyer horsesas I was?) I even found my favorite books along with them. I can't wait to read them to the girls! I grew up on Marguerite Henry books but always had a love for her book Misty of Chincoteaguethe most. My mom encouraged this love by taking me on a trip to Chincoteague Island over summer vacation one year. I can still remember it so clearly. It is one of my best memories (Although seeing the real Misty stuffed was quite a shocker to me. In my young mind I thought that the story of Misty was very recent and that I would see her running in a pasture or something along those lines.)

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K found my box of saris and needed to try one on. I told her that they were all adult size and way too huge for her but she was still very adamant that she needed to try one on. So I did my best to make it fit her and she was quite happy with the outcome proclaiming that she looked like someone dressed up as Mother Mary in a Nativity play.

Grandpa (and Grandma)
Picture taken back home in New York by my Mom on her new fangled phone

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But the biggest treasure of all was finding my Grandpa's prayer book that he carried with him during WWII (just in time for Pentecost, too!). I have been longing for it so much lately. (This kind of jumps into the 'journey conversation' I have been meaning to talk about. I have to say I am loving this journey I am on.) My Grandfather meant the world to me, he was like a father to me so I hold him very close to my heart. I have been thinking about him a lot lately with Father's Day approaching. He passed away on that day when I was twenty, so it has become a hard day for me. I'll never forget our last conversation. I was living in California at the time and he was back home in upstate New York. It was as if he knew his time was near because he told me to straighten my life up and go to college. He never spoke so seriously to me before and until then was always very light hearted in his conversations. When I got the phone call the next day that he was gone, I did what he asked of me - I owed it to him.

His prayer book is sitting on my desk next to me as I type this. Glancing over at it I now feel the need to shut down my computer and curl up with my sleeping baby and read.

Happy Pentecost and Memorial Day everyone!


P.s - In case you missed out on the beautiful weather set giveaway from Armadillo Dreams, I thought I would share with all of you that they have 3 day sale going on from 5/26 to 5/28 and everything is 25% off! There is no coupon code needed, they discounted everything up front. Makes it easy for everyone!

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Comments (16)

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Such treasures, especially your Grandpa's prayer book! I was completely obsessed with Breyer horses too. :) I still have my big hardback Misty collection too. It has survived a house fire (thankfully only smoke damage in the case of the book) and several dozen moves, and it's still going strong. I don't have any of my Breyers any more but I sure recognized yours the moment the picture loaded.

Enjoy your journey!
I'm so happy you found such meaning in your life. I love finding old and forgotten treasures!!! We are not Catholic in our family but we are Quiverfull and pretty spiritual. It's good to have such reminders like your pray book to stay focused and inspired to do good ;)

Many blessings to you!

Blessings,
Samantha (Woodland Woolens)
We camped at Assateague Island a couple years ago. I loved it. I too loved Breyer horses. I still have my favorite miniature even though the leg is broken. So glad you found your grandfather's book. What a treasure.
1 reply · active 669 weeks ago
Oh how fun! I am hoping to go back there someday. I would love for my little ones to experience it all.
Your grandpa's prayer book is so special.

My granny was the person in my life that had the most spiritual impact on me. I have her old chaise lounge where I sat and read many of her books and listened to her teach me of the priciples I live by to this day. Some days it is her words I hear spoken to me. I was immature and kind of rowdy during the times we spent together and would give alot to have her teaching me today.

Thanks for helping me remember that today.
1 reply · active 669 weeks ago
Thank YOU for sharing those memories.
What beautiful treasures! And I immediately thought she looked like Mary before I even read your words. Such blessings.
what a story ~ thanks for sharing
I am wiping a tear away as I read this. Your Grandfather has been praying for you girl! How amazingly special to have that book. He is I am sure so proud of the amazing woman you became! I love treasures.
1 reply · active 669 weeks ago
Oh goodness, thank you so much!!! XOXO
I think that Crunchy Catholic Momma hit the nail on the head...I really believe that my conversion--and my sister's, and my mom's return to the Faith--is the result of the prayers of my Catholic family in Heaven, including a few nuns and priests. I note that the binding is in poor repair; if you ever need to have it fixed, let me know. I was a book restorer/conservator in my life B.C. (before children).

Oh, and I was a Breyer horse nut. I had a bunch and still have quite a few. And I read loads of horse stories. I think my favorite was The Secret Horse, but I read them all...
1 reply · active 669 weeks ago
Thank you Nadja, I agree. I may take you up on fixing the prayer book. I know it would be in good hands with you :) XO
Oh my goodness, that prayer book is absolutely priceless! What an amazing treasure. And I adore your little "Mary," lol. So cute!
Fabulous treasures indeed! I have a horse loving boy as you know and the girl is catching the bug too (very convenient on a boat). Z begs for Breyers but there is no way I can justify the price. I always hope to find him some at thrift stores, no luck yet. We go to Chincateague and Assateague at least once a year to camp on the beach with the ponies. Magical!
I LOVED those books!!!
Those books and Breyer horses....that took me right back to my horse-obsessed childhood :) Loved those books....

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