When I had no grey sprinkled in my hair
and when wearing glasses
was more of a fashion statement than a necessity,
I was given this, my sewing box.
It’s not an heirloom
(although it could be).
It wouldn’t fetch much in a sale
(although it should).
It means far more to me
than many other things I have accumulated over the years.
It was made with love.
I know that underneath the purple-patterned material
there is only wadding, the stiffest card
and hundreds of tiny stitches.
It’s nothing special, in the grand scheme of things.
But I imagine my mum,
curled over the dining table,
carefully cutting out
the hexagons and the rectangles,
placing right-sides together,
pins pressed between pursed lips
as she concentrates on her task.
I imagine her stepping back and smiling
as she places the lid on top,
the satisfyingly perfect fit a testament to her precision,
and her desire to make something for me that I would love.
It must be twenty years old, this box of delights
and it has stood the test of time.
I have stored my needles, threads, pins, zips, buttons and ribbons within,
but most of all, I have loved it.
Thank you, Mum.
Running stitch
*****
Freya Writes... 
big smiles…what a cool little treasure…and that she put it together by hand makes it all the more special….def a tangible reminder of her…and love for you…would be cool to look back at those stories you wrote as well…
Thank you, Brian. Those stories will remain hidden away for as long as possible! I had a bit of a fixation about boarding school when I was growing up – not because I hated living at home, but because I read a lot of school stories – Enid Blyton, Elinor M Brent Dyer… oh, the memories! It all sounded so exotic…
As for the sewing box, yes, I treasure it. Definitely.
Freya, I really enjoyed this. I inherited my mother’s sewing box as well. Lots of different threads (which I don’t use) and a collection of needles (which I do use) and a wonderful pin cushion – the likes of which they don’t make any more. It is nice that you are continuing to use this box, to store your own ‘stuff’ in it. Your mother would indeed be happy about this. You have written about a TRUE treasure!
Thank you, Mary. It really is the little things that are so important.
Sewing boxes are real treasure chests.. I remember my grandmother’s — all the buttons we could play with (today it would be considered unresponsible to let a child play with it).. Love the intricate design your mother made.. I so understand the memories it has….
Don’t get me started on ‘Health & Safety’! I’m sure it’s used as an excuse to squeeze fun out of life – and to avoid the remote possibility of being sued….
Thank you for reading – and enjoying!
What a BEAUTIFUL sewing box, and such a gift of love from your Mum. I loved this!
Thank you! it makes me smile, every time I open it 🙂
I inherited a sewing kit, not a box, from a member of my mother’s family but am not sure whom. It was handmade too and I wonder whether the person who made it put as much love into it as your mother.
Well, if it was hand-made, then I am sure there was a lot of thought and attention to detail that went into it.
What a lovely sewing box from your mother, made with love ~ Love that you treasured this from her ~
Thank you, Grace. For a while, it didn’t get a lot of use, but there always seems to be something that needs mending these days. Hopefully, I’ll get back into proper sewing soon.
Honest and fine, like a mothers love, or her stitches
Thank you.
A special treasure. So sweet and sentimental.
Thank you, Ayala.
So cool. I have the one my mom got me when I was a teen. It’s really old. Didn’t think about doing one on that–but then, I never was good as sewing!
Ha! I did go through a teenage phase of making a few of my own dresses, and then was heading back that way with a new sewing machine about a year ago – things have changed beyond all imagining since then, so I’m not in a position to get back into proper sewing again – but hopefully soon. It’s quite therapeutic!
It is beautiful! Best of all, she made it for you. Wonderful ode to this treasure, Freya 🙂
Thank you! I do think of this William Morris quote, when I look at it:
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
I think it fits both requirements!
Yes, I also have one made by my mother….kind of awkward and funny looking tho…but that was her making things that we cherish…nice reflections on your treasure.
Of course – it’s the love and time spent that matters, absolutely. Thank you 🙂
i have a few things mom gave me too… lovely thoughts
very cool little box! That which is given and received with love certainly qualifies as treasure.
I agree! Thank you 🙂
What a lovely treasure, handmade with such love, and still used with love. 🙂
Thank you – yes, it certainly is used with love 🙂
An item painstakingly crafted with precision and care… this is truly a treasure, just as your eloquent words describe.
Thank you, Barry. Yes, it is indeed a treasure. i am very lucky.
A perfect choice, Freya; makes me smile while holding back tears, having lost my Mum when she was only 39; somehow I ended up with her driver’s license, and social security card; go figure.
I am so sorry you lost your mum at such a young age. Something similar happened to my own mum – she was only 8 when my grandmother died. She has her engagement ring, and some photos, which she treasures, of course. It is weird what we end up with, I agree.
It’s lovely…and most importantly it was made with love for you !
Thank you! And purple is my favourite colour 🙂
first, that was a lovely tribute and thank you. you can tell it is very special. second, that is one nifty box; I love the way it expands when the lid comes off.
I love the way it opens too – every time I open it, it pleases me, in its complex simplicity. Thank you. 🙂
Some items are dear to us, hold a special place in our hearts…they are priceless in more ways than one, and no money can compensate for their value. What a lovely tribute.
Thank you, Lorri.