I love handmade gifts, especially ones that have a special significance. During this month when so much of our focus is on gifts, each Wednesday I want to share with you some meaningful handmade gifts that have been given to me over the years.
My friend has a rare understanding of and love for her single friends. When she gave me this treasure, she explained that she wanted me to know that she saw me as a Proverbs 31 woman. In her eyes having a husband was not necessary to be a virtuous women, a woman who honors the Lord. Her words of encouragement meant a great deal to me and every time I see this work of art, I am reminded of her love and encouragement.
Another dear friend created a lovely friendship wall hanging. Using a greeting card and my favorite colors, she chose a lovely picture with a saying about friends. Then she framed it with a pink mat (pink is my favorite color), a wooden frame, added embellishments in the corners and a beautiful reminder of our friendship was created.
This picture hangs over my bed where I am regularly reminded of this dear friend and the way she has walked through life with me, even when she is many miles away
On March 2, 2009 I received news of the unthinkable. My parents house was on fire. The house my father and brother had built. The house my mother had lovingly decorated. The house that had been my home more than any other was on fire.
By the time the firemen put the fire out, there was little left to salvage. The insurance company declared it a total loss. This was a grave loss to my parents in their mid-eighties and to me as well.
A couple of years ago, one of my nieces painted a picture of that house for me. It is in my living room and the first picture I see when I enter the room. Seeing it there comforts me time and time again.
As I look around my home, I am reminded of dear friends and family members who have expended their time and energy to share their love for me with me. I cherish these handmade works of art and the people who made them for me.
Do you have a homemade gift that has a special meaning to you?
I invite you to share your story about it.
I do have some very special homemade gifts that are special to me. One of them is a cross stitch that a fellow teacher made for me when I left the Christian school where I had taught for several years. Another special gift (although not really homemade) is a photo album that my brother, Steve, gave me one year for Christmas. He had gone and taken pics of the Kunkel homestead in Harpursville, the Riley homestead in West Colesville, the 1st home we knew as kids in West Colesville, and the two-room school we attended in West Colesville. He put those pics in that photo album and I still treasure it. He wasn't the sentimental kind of guy normally so it really means a lot to me especially now that he's gone. I always love the gifts that the grandkids give me and our grandkids in Madagascar send us homemade cards too! It really means a lot when someone takes the time to make a gift for you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Patty,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some of your special homemade gifts. The one Steve made you sounds especially precious. What a great way to remember your childhood and to be able to show it to your children an grandchildren. I love that idea!!
Sadly I don't have any to take a picture of but my Grandma used to make cross stitch pillow cases for all the grandchildren with their names embroidered on them. I just loved getting them. My mom make some for Sarah and now I look forward to making them for my grandchildren. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, the pillowcases sound very special indeed. I have one that one of my nieces stitched for me years ago. The fabric is wearing thin and many of the stitches have worn away because it has been so well-loved. It is wonderful that you want to carry on this tradition with your grandchildren in the future!! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love and treasure the many handmade gifts that my children make for me. There are so many that I could never list them all but two of my favorites are a wooden cross that my daughter painted with rainbow colors and a "kit" to make my own horse farm from my son.
ReplyDeleteI have a special friend :-) who made me hand towels to hang on my stove and a wonderful snuggy blanket that I use almost every day!
I think my most treasured handmade gift is a pillow that my grandmother stuffed for me when she was in her 90's. She had trouble seeing, was wheelchair bound, and not real strong anymore. Yet she was able to go down to the craft room in the nursing home where she resided and stuff pillows. The pillow reminds me that there is always something good that we can do despite any limitations that we may face. ALJ
Hi Anne,
ReplyDeleteThank you for popping in!! I love the story about your grandmother and the lesson that you learned from her diligence. What a great legacy that is!
Dar