My youngest grandchild, Miss N turns 10 years old tomorrow. I will never forget the week she arrived–my strong, intelligent, independent mother left this life and my strong, intelligent and will be very independent granddaughter entered this life. Tears of grief and tears of joy
My Mom had one granddaughter for whom she made girly dresses, bought her baby dolls and books. They shared a bond that was different than the bond she had with her three grandsons. Not that each one of them wasn’t special to FaMa..the oldest was her first, the second was named for his grandfather and the third shared the beautiful brown eyes my mother gave as the reason she married my father. She was so delighted I was to have a granddaughter.
According to my Mom, birthdays were there to be celebrated! No matter the circumstances—financial constraints, physical distances, or your age. When Mom turned 80 we had a huge party, new dress, relatives from far and near, flowers, balloons, cake and hundreds of photos. She loved every minute of it.
One important part of birthdays is the traditions that each family has that belong to just you that day. Growing up, the angel food cake was BIRTHDAY CAKE. When I learned others thought of a different cake, I truly felt a little sorry for them. My husband had burnt sugar cake; my grandchildren get to choose an ice cream cake, my bro-in-law chose German Choc. What?
Some families have a special dinner plate for the birthday person. One friend’s mother used a particular cake plate for just birthdays. My son’s family wear those pointy cardboard birthday hats…no matter how old. In one nephew’s family, the birthday person gets all the doughnuts they want and can eat for breakfast. We have lots of little presents to unwrap. A phone call with a loud rendition of “Happy Birthday”–it is important to have these anchors.
If you are just starting out or know a family making their own traditions, Janis made a quilt for you. Pull it out just for the b-day week. Drape the quilt across the special person’s bed. Use it as a table topper underneath the cake and presents.
The quilt measures 46″ x 48″ and is machine quilted. Spill punch on it–throw it in the washing machine. Quilts get better with love and laundry.
The colors are bright and happy and gender and age appropriate. It is a party on fabric for $125.
Leave a comment if you are interested. Check out the Photo Gallery Post. Lots of new items.
Quilts, Etc. 