Friday, July 24, 2015

Traditions


Maybe the fact that I was raised in a fairly non-standard family and in sometimes not the best circumstances makes me cling to traditions.  Growing up, I don't really remember their importance and I don't remember telling family stories.  But Mr. Golfer's family is full of both traditions and stories and I loved the response his family had to them.

As a mother I have tried hard to create those for my girls.  Really just experiences they can hold onto.  And in the process, I have become a lover of stories.

This is one especially dear to my heart.  I had read somewhere long ago about a mother tucking a piece of her own gown into her daughter's.  My own gown is sealed in hopes it would one day be used.  With that not happening, I searched for another idea.

My oldest daughter's first engagement ended 8 weeks prior to the wedding.  A terrible experience for us all, but one we are now grateful of.  In the process of the planning, she had decided she wanted to wear my veil.  We had a section of it that was not currently stylish removed and then redesigned at the crown.  I saved the removed section because the alencon lace on it was so beautiful.

That lace has now become the piece of "me" that is sewn into their own gowns.  A mix of emotions washes over me when I pick up that needle and thread.  I do think about their life thus far and wonder what the future will bring.  I pray for them with each stitch as only a mother can do.



4 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, Wanda. Stories give us history, but not all of us are gifted story tellers. I've tried to do the same, but what I've found is that my kiddos, grown and the two still at home, all enjoy telling and retelling the stories that make up our family history. :) Glad you are tucking a piece of your veil into your girls' dresses -- so sweet!

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  2. this is really beautiful. I've been enjoying being in Elizabeth Goudge land, via her books, where traditions, beauty and a world where God is seen and believed, but that is also real and contains much of human experience.... anyway, your post, the building of traditions and prayer is very much in line with Elizabeth Goudge's world...

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  3. Beautiful tradition by a mother whose stitching is priceless....

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