Buttons and bows. It seems like such a small thing, a jar of
miscellaneous buttons clipped from countless items of clothing. To me,
it represented a lifetime of loving care, a tangible link to my past,
and I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it.When my mom passed away last month, I stumbled upon a mason jar of
buttons she had collected. Mom had been an avid seamstress in her day,
not so much because she loved sewing but rather more because sewing
allowed a meager budget to be stretched. I remember well her hands
deftly working the fabrics, clipping and snipping, mending and making
our clothes. This mason jar of buttons represented all that to me -- but
what to do with it now? I couldn't bring myself to throw it out.
And then, at this magic time of year, I had a brainflash. I strung
the buttons together on wire, added festive ribbon and voila -- button'n
bow tree ornaments were created! The delight on my sister's and niece's
faces when I gave them theirs was absolutely joyful to witness. They,
like me, understood what those buttons represented.
My wish for you and yours during this holiday season is that you
find and share the magic moments in your life. Your joy may come from
the most ordinary and unexpected places -- a coffee with a friend you
haven't seen in a while, a card received from a relative, or a special
recipe a loved one gave you years ago that fills your home with familiar
aromas and your heart with memories.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Channukah, or simply life itself,
this season is a time of celebration and memories -- remembering old
ones and creating new ones. Here's wishing you a year of "buttons and
bows" moments.
Cheers,
Marion
