The Edmund Fitzgerald

Remembering

 The Edmund Fitzgerald

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/09/edmund.fitzgerald/index.html

I did this scrapbook page a while back but I thought I'd share it today

Dolls ~ How do they get their names?

I couldn't begin to tell you how many dolls have held a prominent place in either my heart, the hearts of my sisters, my daughters and now my Grandaughters.  Dolls certainly hold a special place in the hearts of little girls, regardless of what timeframe they are born in or what branch they are hanging on in the family tree.

Of course once a doll is placed into the hands of its new "mommy", she then has the honor of naming her new "baby."

You just never know what is in the minds of little ones as they go through the "naming" process.

I remember naming my dolls Penny and Nicky (short for nickle) because that particular year I was learning about how to count money. Very clever ~ don't you agree?  A generation later I have to believe my daughter named her doll by recognizing words that went together.  She named her baby Polly. But not just Polly, if you asked her she would let you know in no uncertain terms that her babies name was Polly Esther.  lol  Oh how her Great Aunts loved that name. They remembered that doll and her name for many years to follow. My youngest daughter had a not so handsome boy cabbage patch doll whom she named Homer. Her Uncle teasingly made a comment about her "ugly" little baby and she said "he's not ugly he's Homer Lee."  Another doll unforgotton. 

Our Grandaughters recieved numerous gifts from numerous people again this year. Books, video games, cameras, sleds etc. etc. and of course a few new dollies.  Well our little Sydney recieved a special new baby and she named her Kelly. But once again, following in her Mothers footsteps; she listened to words that she knew belonged together... after all her sister recieved a computer game called "Kelly's Pet Parade."  You guessed it ~ that's her babies name.  Not just Kelly, but "Kelly's Pet Parade!"  I guess it's true: the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.   

Pickled Pork Hocks, Limburger Cheese, Amaryllis and More

As I go through my daily routine, living life as I best  know how - there are constant subtle reminders of those I've loved and lost.  It doesn't take much to stir up a memory.

As I was grocery shopping shortly after the loss of my first husband; I became overwhelmed at the site of a jar of pickled pork hocks. Of all things - pork hocks! It was one his favorites, and an occaisional treat. I stood there almost breathless struggling to hold back the tears. I just stood there and stared. The pain in my face must have been apparent as a sweet little lady appoached me and asked "ma'am are you alright?"  It snapped me back to reality and I answered that I was fine, "It's just those blasted pork hocks." I told her I had recently lost my husband and she touched my arm expressing her sympathy. We talked for a little bit and then continued onto our shopping.

That was over 10 years ago and I've lost several close relatives and friends since then. Limburger cheese reminds me of my dad, along with suffolks sheep and many other things too numerous to list. An amaryllis plant always reminds me of my Grandma. She gave it a good run and passed away just before her 102nd birthday. Roosters and snow villages remind me of my Aunt. Hairspay - a classmate etc. etc.  

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I glanced in the mirror and I swear my sister was looking back at me. My bangs swept across my forehead in such a way that it shocked me at just how much we looked alike.

I don't wallow in my losses, I know they are all out of pain and misery and with our Lord, believing I will see them agian. But in the mean time I will enjoy every passing memory I have, whether its pork hocks, hair or whatever.

Memories are a gift!