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Thursday 30 December 2010

The Mother's Book

I was reading a post a couple of days ago, written by my friend lyndylou over at The Giggle Fest.  The post was entitled "The Best Present - EVER!!!"

It reminded me of a present that my youngest daughter brought me a couple of years ago for Mothers Day.  It's called The Mother's Book by Elma Van Vlietm, and there is a banner across it, which states "The Only Gift Book You Hope To Get Back."
The author had been told that her beloved mum didn't have long to live, and she explained that the hardest part was thinking about how her future would be - a future without her mum.  Elma explains that she still had so many questions that she wanted to ask, about her mum, about herself when she was young, and how her mum had felt at particular moments in her life.

So that is why she decided to create The Mother's Book.  She realized the truth in the saying, "You don't know what you have, until it's gone." 

I am gradually working my way through the book, and filling it with photographs.  I have just flicked it open to a page which says "what are the fondest memories you have of your father?"

This is what I have written, "My dad gave me so much love when I was growing up, and I will always remember how he came into the hospital to see me after you (my youngest daughter) were born.  (Your dad was in the Army, and couldn't get Leave to see me when you were born - he was serving in Northern Ireland at the time).  My dad wasn't very well at all at the time, but he said that he couldn't have me in the hospital with a new little baby all on my own."

That was so typical of the love had had for me.  He never let me down.

I remember, as a little girl, playing football with my  dad, and him trying to teach me to catch the ball, which always slipped right through my fingers.  "Butterfingers" he used to say!

He also painstakingly taught me handwriting.  My dad's handwriting was so beautiful."

From this, I think you will see that this was a lovely gift for both of us.  I will hand it over to my daughter, who will have all these memories to pass on to her little girl, and I will know that all my memories will never be forgotten.

How beautiful is that?

28 comments:

Jumble Mash said...

What a sweet story!

vintch said...

so, so beautiful. the love you have for your family is so evident and this will be such a precious gift to pass down through generations. my mama is working on a similiar book, and she's had it all my life. i just love the idea that one day i'll receive the book and be able to reflect on it, and also learn some things about my loved ones that i never knew or picked up on. the little idiosyncracies and stories that need to be passed down. lovely post as always!

Southhamsdarling said...

Jumble - thank you, and thank you so much for mentioning me on your Blog today. I'm overwhelmed!!

Southhamsdarling said...

Vintch - thank you so much for your comments. I'm glad your Mama is doing such a book for you. It will be something to treasure for a long, long time.

Unknown said...

I don't really have many tangible memories of my mom or dad but I am trying to create some for my girls to have from me. I now realize how important it is.
Odie

Carol E Wyer said...

This is such a beautiful post and evokes such loving feelings that I feel a little lump in my throat. It's a lovely idea and your memries can be passed on. I gave a 'Grandparent' book to my parents, a similar idea to this one, but sadly my Dad passed away shortly after they received it and my Mum doesn't want to fill it in now.
I came by to say hello and to thank you for visiting my last post. I really enjoy blogging and sharing my world but it is made so much more pleasurable by sharing my thoughts and experiences with super people such as yourself. When I first started this I had no idea that I would meet such wonderful people who I feel have become Blogworld 'friends'. So thank you for all your visits and your kind comments, all of which have served to encourage me further.
I am looking forward to coming back time and time again here... (am I a blogoholic?)
I'll take this opportunity to say thank you once again and to wish you the happiest of new years. May 2011 be a fabulous year for you and your family.
My sincerest wishes.
Carol

Southhamsdarling said...

Odie - I'm sure your girls will love it if you put something together for them.

Southhamsdarling said...

Facing50Blog.com - thank you so much for all your lovely comments Carol. I hope that 2011 will be a special one for you and all your family too. I am certainly a blogoholic - what a good word! It's so lovely to be in touch with all you caring people out there. I'm sorry that your book didn't get completed.

Lyndylou said...

I am so glad that my post sparked those memories for you. These books are lovely to pass on and that way you never forget. Lovely story :)

Southhamsdarling said...

Lindylou - yes, it did bring back all sorts of memories, which is good, especially at this time of the year, when we think of loved ones no longer with us. Sorry I couldn't put the link in for your Blog!

Olive said...

What a lovely book and way to record your memories.

Southhamsdarling said...

Olive - thank you!

Gawgus things... said...

Such a fantastic idea - make sure you fill it ALL in!

Southhamsdarling said...

Gawgus things - I will try. Actually, better do it sooner rather than later, before my memory goes!! LOL!

Belle said...

What a wonderful book! My mother has written her memoir full of stories from her youth. I am so happy to have that.

Southhamsdarling said...

Belle - how lovely that your mum has done that. I wish mine had. It is such a lovely thing to keep hold of.

BB said...

I bought an album when my husband died that was for pictures, signatures from those who came to his Celebration of Life service, and many questions about the person the book is for. I have filled in some as I knew just about everything from his life because he shared it all with me in detail. This will be great to give to the grandkids someday.

Shady Del Knight said...

Like Belle's mother, my mother also wrote a book describing her coming of age experiences during the 1930's. When I was a kid I loved to listen to my parents and grandparents tell stories about their youth. I had many questions and they enjoyed answering them. Sadly that is no longer the case in my family. The children have no interest whatsoever in learning about the lives and history of the older generation. To them all that matters is now. You are blessed, Thisisme, to have a close knit family where people of all ages are regarded as important.

Becky said...

I have a book similar to this one. I started filling it out, but never finished. I guess I should pull it back out and work on it some more! I gave one to my mom a while back (before her stroke) called "Grandmother Remembers". I am not sure what happened to it. I guess I need to hunt for it! Thanks for the reminder! :) I also LOVE your Fireworks and your Happy New Year glitter ball!! :)

Southhamsdarling said...

Bouncin'Barb - what a good idea to make an album about your husband. It will be a wonderful thing to pass on. Reading all the comments, it is surprising how many people have done this sort of thing.

Southhamsdarling said...

Shady - It's such a shame when the children don't want to hear stories of the past. I think I am lucky, because (at the moment anyway,) my daughters certainly love to hear tales from when they were very young.

Southhamsdarling said...

Becky - you will have to finish that book, as I'm sure your daughters will love to receive it some day. Glad you like the glitter ball. Must remember to change it all on the 2nd January!

Rebecca said...

what a great story and what a wonderful book to get

Southhamsdarling said...

Becca - thank you. Glad you enjoyed the story.

Teresa said...

I bought one of those books years and years ago for my mom to fill out for my kids. Sadly, it brought back too many painful memories for her and she refused to fill it out. Even the 'bad' stuff she may have written about (how pitifilly poor they were and her alcoholic father) is still familial history and would have been something to pass down.

Amy bought me one to fill out for Isaiah and I must confess I have not done so. I can claim time but also I know that I want it to be "perfect" and I'm afraid I'll mess up the pages. That's one reason why I have his blog for him (which I need to update; have a great bear hunt story) (www.isaiahseys.com).

Donna B. said...

Beautiful indeed...those are priceless treasures.

Southhamsdarling said...

Teresa - such a shame that your mum couldn't fill out the book because of painful memories. What a wonderful idea to do a blog for Isiah!! My grandson is called Elijah, so they would go well together!

Southhamsdarling said...

Donna - thank you. Priceless treasures indeed.