Legacy
Legacy- noun; anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor
When I think about the word legacy and what it means to me, I’m drawn to
thoughts of traditions, gifts, and the phrase, pass it on. I visualize a tapestry of
beautiful threads, textiles of all colors and textures, woven together to create
something more beautiful than the sum of its parts. With each passing
generation the tapestry of our family legacy gains a new richness and depth as
each of us add our unique touch, and passes it on.
The tapestry of my life is made by those who have left an impression on my heart,
a piece of themselves in my life. My Granma, my sweet husband, our 3 adored
daughters, sons-in-love and our precious grandsons, a hand full of valued friends
who are our heart family and a few people whose contribution to me was
imparted in just a single day’s acquaintance. These people are the true gifts of my
life, and I am grateful for them every single day, their presence has added to the
tapestry of my life.
My Granma was my heart connection, she loved me wholly and completely in a
way I didn’t experience anywhere else in my childhood life. My early childhood
memories revolve around staying with my Grandparents at their home in San
Francisco, a stately old 3 story Victorian near Golden Gate Park, for me that home
was magical. Narrow hallways, closets filled with treasures to explore, glass
cabinets that sparkled and the kitchen seemed to always have something cooking
that filled the house with delicious smells. What I know now is that those things
made the home feel special, but it was the place where I felt love, safety and
valued, it was love that made the home truly magical.
The pattern of those days was constant, my Grandpa in his slacks, button down
shirt and sweater making a fire to “take the chill off the morning” while he drank
his coffee & read the newspaper. Granma walked down the street to the corner
market to pick up groceries needed for dinner. Most every
afternoon my Granma would get “all done up” in her dress, gloves, hat and we
would take the trolley downtown to Market Street. We walked through all the
big stores looking for bargains, rarely did she buy anything, but we sure enjoyed
the fine art of window shopping. We often stopped at the Woolworth’s
lunch counter for a treat, those were special days walking hand in hand with my
beautiful Granma, I felt loved & so very special.
At Granma’s house, breakfast & lunch were shared at the red table in the kitchen,
dinner was served in her large formal dining room. This room was at the center of
her home, it had mahogany walls and a painted mural of a lovely countryside
scene surrounding the top 2 feet the whole room, one wall was a built-in buffet
and glass china cabinets, filled to the brim with sparkly treasures. She would set
the table with china, cut-glass bowls and her other fancies, my memory of that
huge wooden table was that it sparkled! It felt like a grand celebration even if it
was just the 3 of us with a simple family dinner of fried chicken, potatoes, biscuits
and pan gravy. It was a treat to sit around that table, enjoying the bounty of
delicious foods, listening to the conversation and laughter, knowing it was a special
time, a celebration of the day! The colors my Granma added to my tapestry are
warm, comfortable, solid deep rooted earth colors with threads of glittery sparkly
silver and gold. My Granma gave me my love of sparkle!
When I think about the way I live my life and the traditions I hold most dear, I can
feel my darling Granma at the center of it all. She taught me to love completely,
to live each day for the celebration it is, to create from the heart, be present in
the moment and to be okay with the messy reality of life. I am so incredibly
blessed that my Granma took the time to pour into my life what she held dear, to
pass it on to me, and I in turn have passed on to my daughters.
When the idea for this passion project started forming in my mind, so many of the
thoughts took me back to my Granma. Ideals that are steeped in tradition, yet
modern in simplicity, to create something that would bring celebration of
everyday life into the lives of others. It is a privilege for me to share and explore the
message of celebrating everyday life and pass on the legacy of my beautiful
Granma, Camille Mae through the tapestry of Home Grown Celebrations.