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I woke up this rainy Saturday morning in grief. My husband was gone for the weekend. My work was mostly caught up, and I was initially excited about having a whole weekend to myself. But I was missing my parents, and it suddenly dawned on me that I might have gone to see them if only I had planned better. I can’t get enough of them.
They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary—another reminder that I will not always have them. More and more, I understand what the philosopher Seneca meant when he said every pleasure is most valued when it is coming to an end.
I’ve always had the pleasure of my mother’s love and companionship. When I was busy finding a young woman’s freedom and independence, Mom did the impossible: she released me. But I knew she was always there in the wings, loving me and praying for me.
She took whatever I gave, which wasn’t much until I reached my 30s. Between visits, she sent pillowslips, lovingly embroidered by her own hand and wrapped in tissue paper. I’ve always adored them, but I don’t tuck them away in a drawer; I use them. They make me feel close to her no matter how far we are from one another.
Even if you (or your grandmother or mother) are not into stitching, vintage linens can make crawling into bed such a sweet pleasure. Snatch them up whenever you find them at antique stores and auctions. Even if they are stained, they can often be redeemed with careful laundering and spotting, and you’ll love the feel of vintage cottons.
What are your favorite stitched heirlooms? Any stitchers out there?
3 comments
August 23, 2016 at 10:01 pm
I love old linens and especially old lace. I still buy a piece occasionally.
September 12, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Vintage linens are a weakness of mine…I have a hope chest full of them. Some from my family, some from my best friend’s family, many I picked up at yard sales and thrift shops. I do use them, often, although the pristine and unused set of embroidered linen sheets that were my grandmother’s are still in the chest and still unused…I can’t bring myself to use them.
September 14, 2016 at 5:33 pm
I can see why those sheets would be tough to make ready for ordinary use! I know that I care about these things inordinately more than I ever did.
What causes this, Maureen?