|
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
|
