Memories of Grandma

Today I had the pleasure of looking through some of Grandma Berts treasures and finding some things that I can keep as a remembrance.  But it is more than a remembrance, it is a connection. I feel the connection to her through the things that belonged to her. 

Here is a summary:

Jewelry - I was thrilled to find a peridot ring, as Grandma and I shared this as our birthstone.  I also found several bracelets, a necklace, and a few more rings.  

Santas - Grandma collected Santas.  My Uncle Mike (#11) and Aunt Debbie started her collection by buying her a new Santa every year from the time they got married.  So, I have two standing Santas.

Butter Dish - This is a vintage (I assume) glass butter dish with lid, that is that beautiful purple/blue iridescent glass.  

Ashtray - This item was actually my Grandpa Bill's.  It is a vintage glass ashtray that was given to him as a gift when he retired. His coworkers all signed it, and wrote "We'll miss you Bill" on it. 

Doll - I brought home a doll for Alaina to play with.  It is plastic, so it is safe with her.  But still she'll have to be careful with it, because it is so old. 

Zipper art - I'd never heard of such a thing, and didn't know that my Grandma used to do this. She took apart zippers, and glued them in a design on a piece of board my Grandpa cut for her. Then she filled in the spaces of her design with colored sand and glitter. It is really cool!  

The Letter 'A' - Since my grandma's name was Alberta, she had a few items with the letter A on them.  These were set aside for my cousin Amber and I to choose from.  I have two pins, one of which actually has a photo of Paige in it when she was a baby; and also a pink hankerchief with an embroidered 'A'.  

So, I now have many items to fill my home with the love of my grandmother.  It was a nice experience, and surprisingly didn't cause me grief.  I was just able to focus on her love and my memories of her as I sorted through her belongings.  I'm so blessed to have had her in my life.