My Mom's love language is (still can't say "was"...) gift giving. I've talked about that before on this blog, if you want further explanation. But this past week I found out that she actually was NOT quite through providing gifts from her gift closet.I was hosting a book party at my house
(I know I am weird, and it's only going to get worse when you see these pictures) and the time period of the book was Antebellum/Victorian...logically I asked everybody to come dressed in "period attire." Like any good Southern Belle, I thought I had a hoop dress I could wear for the occasion in my closet in Dothan. However, when I found that the dress would not zip even HALFway up my torso, I frantically started searching for other options.I remembered a dress Mom wore in the seventies that I thought could pass for Victorian...so I found it and was going to deal with the fact that it wasn't "perfect" with a brave face. I was about to leave Dothan and head back to Birmingham (to start getting ready for my party the NEXT day), when I thought I would take just one more look in the "gift closet." I don't even know why I felt the urge to look there, except that I had some thought that my hoop could be hiding back there and maybe I was going to wedge it under some other poor unsuspecting dress that I could zip.
I walked back to the closet, pushed the random few hanging clothes out of my way, and noticed that there was a faded looking dress folded and lying right on top of the bins where Mom used to store her gifts. My breath caught, and I grabbed the garment and watched the old lace and soft cotton billow down to the floor. It was perfect. Victorian in the highest sense of the word, and I had never seen it before. I didn't cry. I just felt warm all over. I knew she'd led me to it. One more gift for her silly daughter, who loved party planning and perfecting details as much as she did.
Late that night as I baked and decorated, I thought about her a lot, and I felt her there. She always came to help whenever I had a party. Knowing all the details that needed attending to and the difficulties of making things right with two curious little ones. She couldn't be there to clean and cook and watch my girls, but she could lead me to the perfect dress...I just know she wanted to be a part.And my silly little book party, was a lot of fun :)
(They are going to kill me for posting this :) hehehe)
10 comments:
You are BOTH amazing!
I loved, loved, loved this special story. Thank you for the smile and starting my day off right. I believe in Angels. Your Mom is one! Her spirit is certainly alive and well! I call these little life events..."A BIG wink from God" You sure looked pretty in that "wink" too!
nice. i'd love to see that picture in my inbox :)
what a sweet behind the scenes story from a really great party.
love you.
This is a beautiful post, Abby! You do know how to throw a party, that's for sure.
I was sad I missed that night, but I think the only thing that might have worked in my favor is I didn't end up in that photo! :)
At least I had taken my wig off or I really would have killed you. :) Loved seeing you in your mom's dress, and I loved even more to read about what it really meant to you. :)
P.S. I am still craving more of those steak, cream cheese, bacon things. YUMMY!!!
mmm, i love all the details you show here. i think i could look at those pictures of your table all afternoon. loving your china with the gold rims. it's similar to my "christmas" pattern. i know your mom would be incredibly proud of not only your party details, but YOU even more.
That is SUCH a nice story! How amazing the way it worked out for you!
I think it's trés cool how you hold little parties like these!
Thanks for sharing!
Love it!!
I love this story! My husband and I got to keep Mary Aplin in the nursery on Sunday. What a joy...she is just precious and SO much fun!
How awesome. The food and decorations are perfect!!! I have a special ring from my grandmother and when I wish she was experiencing something special with me, it helps me feel like she is still a part of it!
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