August 29, 2011

Heirloom Baby

Ivy mamas dress

I've considered various canning and pickling methods and looked into root cellaring, but I've come to the bittersweet realization that I'm unable to stop time and keep her just this way forever. I'm sure my mama felt just the same way when I wore this little rosebud dress and bonnet over thirty one years ago.

Ivy with mocs

My husband's grandpa is Cherokee, and since he became a grandfather, beginning with my husband, he has purchased every grandbaby (and now the great-grandbabies) a pair of beaded moccasins. I have my husband's pair in the cedar chest, along with my first little jewel's. And now a third tiny pair will be laid beside them.

mocs

And someday maybe she'll take a picture of her own baby in these little handmade moccasins and feel that sweet, sad pang of time relentlessly moving forward that all mothers feel. And that is just as it should be.

5 comments:

Eartha Kitsch said...

Oh my gosh, stop making me cry! I just love these photos and the tradition with the moccasins. Love, love, love!

My great grandmother was a Cherokee Indian too - but for some reason, the heritage of that portion of the family has slipped away. I need to start poking around and asking questions of the relatives. I want it back.

Kitty said...

Oh my goodness...those little moccasins are melting my heart. What a wonderful treasure and family tradition.

Happy Monday!

hugs,
Fritzi Marie

jungle dream pagoda said...

Oh Holly!!! Such sweetness!
Those moccasins! What a fabulous tradition. Time can march on all it want's...I just wish it would slow down a bit!!!

Dana Fox said...

aw those are darling!!
xox dana
thewonderforest.com

Ivy Black said...

How wonderful and touching. I love family traditions and heirlooms, they really tie us to our loved ones. xxx