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During
our younger years, we??™d read about the angel Gabriel
that the Bible tells us came to Mary, the Mother of
Jesus, to tell her of her firstborn child, and to
comfort her fears. Again, a great company of heavenly
host appeared with an angel at the birth of the Christ
Child in Bethlehem, and after praising God the angels
left and went into Heaven. Other than what the Bible
says about them, as youngsters we didn??™t think about
angels. Oh, there was always an angel or a star on the
top of our Christmas tree, but they weren??™t popular,
not like we read and hear about them today.
When
I became a Mother, my husband and I taught our
children that God is in control, although He uses many
ways to get our attention; He has the ability to send
angels to watch over and protect us, we are still to
keep our eyes focused on Him. God is over everything
including angels.
I
know many people who collect favorite items that
become part of their personality, and what they enjoy
and have a special interest in. Today there are many
beautiful angels that are used to make lovely
decorations and statements in homes. Many of my
friends collect angels. I collect teacups, beautiful
china eggs, and thimbles. And so my home is
representative of the things I enjoy, and they mean so
much to me.
A
few years ago my Mother asked me if I had any of my
Grandmother??™s handkerchiefs. I remember searching
through my dresser drawer and finding a soft pink
velvet bag that held a number of handkerchiefs that
had belonged to my Grandmother which I carefully had
put away. I took the beautiful white linen
handkerchiefs that had been my Grandmothers, and gave
them to my Mother. I remember being a bit surprised,
as I had cherished them, and often carried a
handkerchief in my purse to church and other
functions. But, for some reason Mother had wanted to
have them, and so I gave her what she asked me for.
We
were going to visit my parents at Christmas time that
year in Florida, and although it wasn??™t a long
journey, it was always an eager one for me, as I
always look forward to that time after they came south
each winter. Upon approaching their home in the
sunshine state where the bright oranges and grapefruit
can be seen in groves or in yards of the homes along
the streets, with palm trees and flowering shrubs that
are so fragrant. As if a child once again, I look
forward to the Pelican in their yard that bids a
familiar greeting as we arrive for our visit.
As
is the custom each Christmas we are with my parents,
there are a number of beautifully decorated streets to
drive by at night, as well as several live nativity
scenes at area churches. And soon Christmas Eve is
upon us. The small tree inside is just large enough to
hold some of the smaller gifts I??™ve chosen to give my
parents, while I lay larger items on the floor around
the skirting. In the morning we have some freshly
squeezed grapefruit or orange juice with some crapes
Mom makes, and enjoy the gifts from one another.
I
remember the small package that was in a beautiful
wrapping of gold foil and lavender bows, and I
wondered what the soft piece of tissue inside held. As
I unwrapped the paper, my eyes caught sight of the
small initials in the corner and I realized as I
slowly lifted the gift up to see that my Grandmothers
handkerchief had been beautifully made into an Angel.
It was about 8??? in height and the head was made of a
much firmer material, with light golden hair, while
the lace along the trim fell to the bottom of the
flowing gown which so beautifully portrayed an angel.
Part of the handkerchief made bellowed sleeves and a
special lace trim was added to the back. A light pink
rosebud with trailing silk ribbon appeared as if hands
in prayer. My Angel was beautiful, and when I looked
further, I saw two more that had been made from the
handkerchiefs that had belonged to my Grandmother.
This was my first Angel that I would proudly place
inside a glass shelf. It would become Grandma??™s
Angel, and I would remember the woman I??™d been so
close to over the years, and whose linen handkerchiefs
had made these lovely Angels.
My Mother and
I found a small ginger jar that the base of the inside
of the angel could fit into and her dress fell
beautiful to the bottom, allowing the linen and lace
to show. I noticed a small tag that the designer had
placed on the back with the words ???An Heirloom Angel,
made with vintage linen, lace and love.??? How
appropriate! I knew that someday I would give my
angels to my grand-gals and they would have something
that had been very precious to me. They would never
know their great-great grandmother, although one was
named for her. But between my Mother, my daughter and
me, we would make sure that they knew what a grand
lady she was, and that her handkerchief was made into
a special memory. And something they could look at and
remember as Grandma??™s Angel.
?© Diane Dean White 2004
Dua
Diane is a former
newspaper reporter and freelance writer and has
contributed to a number of publications over the past
few years. She is the author of the book BEACH WALKS
and CAROLINA IN THE MORNING. She lives on Hilton Head
Island with her husband of 32 years. They are the
parents of three grown children and two grand-gals. To
order Diane's new book and visit her online home,
please go to: www.DianeDeanWhite.com |
