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Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

0 posted 2011-10-08 07:09 PM

How can I say this
without sounding spoiled
or ungrateful?
It is not that
I'm not mindful
of the meaning of
tradition
passing on
handing down
through the
blood-lined daughter
I truly am
aware of awesome
responsibility
that now belongs to me
My great grandmother's
ten piece place setting
of paisley patterned
Haviland China
made in France
in the 1800's
In all these years
only one little saucer
broken
The halves still remain
with the set
wrapped in tissue
and two little baggies
The dishes are on display
in the same etched glass case
that they sat in at my parents
But they feel much more
precarious in my possession
Though I have no intention
of using them
Save for this Thanksgiving
that one last dinner
I hope she'll remember
Then never again
For I fear more
tissue filled baggies
on my watch

LGR(C)10/8/11

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

1 posted 2011-10-08 07:20 PM

This is great. Truly what we hold in our mind..., our memories, are the only truly precious things this world can off us.

The ability the china may have to spark your memory is, to me, its only value.  The ability to petrify you with the thought of breaking a piece of it, its curse.

Michael

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2011-10-08 08:38 PM

Can't say that I blame you, Lori.

~*~ Tell me whom you love, and I will tell you who you are.--Houssaye ~*~

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

3 posted 2011-10-09 03:03 PM

Precious and yet our homes become like museums sometimes ... "don't touch" seems the unspoken recommendation.

We should use them instead every day and enjoy their vividness ... until it lasts.

Love this, dear Lori.

M

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

4 posted 2011-10-10 04:12 PM

I agree with Michael... particularly since I have such a curse in the back of my closet. *S* How it survived a hurricane is beyond me when I'm sure something would break if I just looked at it wrong. *G* I'm handing it off to my niece just as soon as I can sneak it by her... trouble is, she's a smart cookie and has her guard up. *G*

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

5 posted 2011-10-12 02:26 PM

That's a tough situation and I never looked at it that way. When I was in Vietnam I bought my mom a large set of China, she passed it down to my oldest daughter who acted very timid in accepting the set. It makes sense now.

Enjoyed Lori.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

6 posted 2011-10-12 03:35 PM

I'm back again and agreeing with Margherita.

~*~ Tell me whom you love, and I will tell you who you are.--Houssaye ~*~

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

7 posted 2011-10-12 04:26 PM

Sweetie...

I think "unused" means that it is not admired, or desired.

You know me. You've used my old stuff...
tentatively, yes, I know...but how wonderful
are those memories to me!

We become the keepers...
and eventually we shall pass it all on.

I want the sun to shine and sparkle on that
which I pass on. Y'think it will?

P.S. Y'all have a great bloodline!

Krawdad
Member Elite

since 2001-01-03

Posts 2597

8 posted 2011-10-12 11:07 PM

Ah, yes, the precious curse!

(I'd as soon be fee of them . . . well, maybe except an old book or two.)

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