Memories

"Make memories because no one can take them away~"

Cyndi Neumann

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How about we start off the week with a quick and easy "project?"  

I'm using the term project very loosely since all I did was spray paint a metal bookplate, stick it on a pre-made, distressed box and make a quick label.  It took just a few minutes, but is worth sharing anyway.

On one of my many trips to Michael's (I'm lucky enough to work about 2 miles from one!) I came across these perfectly distressed little wood boxes.   I had just been given a bunch of old family photos of my grandparent's and I knew the box would be perfect for displaying a few of those precious photos.  

I always had a thing for photographs.  I remember sitting with my grandmother at her kitchen table looking through old family pictures, learning about my ancestors, my family history.  I even asked if she would start giving me a few old photographs for Christmas each year.

Now that both my paternal grandparents have passed, these photos hold a very special place in my heart.  I wanted to have them displayed, not thrown in a box or stored in an album.   

I placed a few photos on my herringbone cork board and displayed a few more in this little wood box. A simple metal bookplate and label says it all, memories.  So many wonderful memories of my grandparents and the fun my brother, cousins and I used to have on their farm.  Riding ATV's, playing pool (I can still hear my grandfather say, "just kiss it on the right side," spending weeks there during the summer and always going to McDonald's with the "old" people on Sunday mornings.

My grandmother had a love for flea markets,  selling costume jewelry and vintage glass were her favorite.  I used to love going through her stash and helping her package, label and price each piece. I like to think I get my love for flea markets and thrift stores from her.

Many birthday dinners were celebrated at their house with our favorite Hoffman's ice cream cake. Sleepovers ended with my grandfather kneeling beside our bedside, saying the Lord's prayer before tucking us in.  We would lie in bed and drift off to sleep as then he and my grandmother would say their nightly prayers together.

I grew up riding 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers on the farm and now I get to create those same wonderful memories with my kids.  Teaching them to ride at the age of three just like my grandfather taught us.  I'll get to show them just how beautiful my grandmother was and make sure her memory is always present.

Thank goodness for these precious family photos that have not only been handed down to me, but will be handed down to my kids.

Stories will be told, memories will be shared and love will live on forever.