* treasured *
Each Wednesday I post about some sort of treasure I found during the past week. It might be thrifted or found on a walk or whispered in my ear or discovered on a dark shelf in the basement. Something. Anything that makes me feel lucky and thankful. It doesn’t necessarily have to make its way home with me – it just has to be noticed. The idea is for it to cost very little and feel very big. After all, this isn’t about acquiring new things; it is about paying better attention to the world around me.
If you discovered a treasure this week (a new friend, a snow fairy, a fancy dish at the thrift store, a birds nest) please do share it, as well as any links, in the comments section below.
*****
My Nanny Ruth passed away last week. She was 91, and lived a beautiful, full life, but when you love someone as much as I love her, there is never enough time. Oh! how deeply I miss her already. This past week has been blurry and kind of dreamlike. It seems impossible that we’ve lost her – that I won’t see her sparkly, warm eyes again. I’ve been comforting myself with reminders that she will always be present within me, and that I can see her in my daughters’ red hair, their smiles, their compassion. I also take comfort in knowing that Nanny was a journalist and archivist; we have boxes and boxes of letters, invitations, awards, notes, cards, drawings, and journals. She and my Papa Joe drove on a long cross country trip, and every single evening she wrote in her journal about that day’s adventure. One day, Tom and I plan to RV camp our way across the country following in their exact footsteps.
And, she kept a “baby book” for me. Get this – her last entry was in 2010! Hello, treasure! The best part is that within the 34 years of her detailed accounts of my life are little love messages reminding me to be happy, to stay close with my family, telling us how much she loves us. She is comforting me now, even though she is gone. That is so my Nanny.
Everything that was hers, everything she touched and looked at and loved, everything she wrote and doodled, everything I remember about her are my treasures. There really are so many.
xo e
p.s. Check out the gold peace sign that she is wearing in the above picture. My Papa Joe wore that every single day under his shirts, and when he passed away, Nanny wore it.
Thanks for sharing!
(I follow your blog via Google Reader)
I absolutely love the simplicity in your blog, design, and life.
I also treasured my grandmother. I called her grandma Margie. She past away about 4 years ago and spend the last 4 months of her life in our house. Oh how I treasure those months.
But my real reason for commenting is my grandmother also wrote books (journaled, added pictures,etc) for me about my adventures (as the 1st born grandchild). Later in life she added my sister and what my mom did. She wrote it them even up to the last few months of her life. I cherished those books. Glad that other people did that too!
Very beautiful tribute, Emily. How lucky for you to have had her with you for all of your 34 years and for her to know your girls and for them to know her. Natalie called my dad Papa Joe! A bittersweet treasure this week.
xoxo
kristen
I’m sorry for your loss. It sounds like you had a very close bond. My grandma died from MS before I was born but her two sisters took up the task of being my grandma. My great aunties are so amazing and at 85 and 95 I’m beginning to dread them being gone. Thank you for your words about her still being there in your daughter and your heart. Very touching.
So sorry for your loss Emily Your words describing her are so eloquent and beautiful. Wishing you peace.
Emily,
This is my first time posting. I’m so sorry for your loss! It sounds like you and your Nanny Ruth had a very, very special relationship. 🙂 You are so blessed to have all those special journals from your Nanny Ruth! What a treasure. 🙂
I pray that God will comfort you and your family in your time of great loss.
Love,
Amee
So sweet. I have always loved the name Ruth. Now I have even more reason to love it. xoxo k
Thank you so much for your thoughts, kind words, and for sharing your own memories and experiences. More treasures! xoxoxo e
Emily, so sorry for your loss….what wonderful gifts she left behind for you and your children and some day theirs as well. My favorite grandma was Ruth as well-she passed when I was 10 or so and I miss her to this day. Hugs to you and your family!
So beautiful! Of course… Ruth is my Ma’s name, too 🙂 I can appreciate every sentiment of this post!
Ruth was the most magical of women who tended to so many of our hearts. Her intelligence, thoughtfulness, kindness, wonderful sense of humor, and the ability to see the best in everything and everyone was an example for the ages.
The world is feeling slightly emptier with her gone. But she lives on in the hearts and minds of those of us who loved her.
I found you on Mod Podge Rocks and I am so glad I did!I am also so very sorry about your loss.She was a wonderful lady to have kept a baby book about you for so long.That is an awesome feat I think,and a wonderful way to keep her with you.
Your blog is so delightful,she must be very proud.