An heirloom is an object of value that has been in a family and "passed down" through several generations. I've read books where part of the storyline would be about this or that piece of heirloom furniture or a quilt or a rare piece of needlework passed down in a family.
"Antiques Roadshow" on PBS is a favorite television show of mine. The program, in my opinion, is well done and I'm always amazed at what people have in their possession and how much it's worth.
Spring has sprung here in our north central Florida home. Spring is a season where the Creator of all the universe displays for our pleasure great beauty with vivid colors, wonderful fragrances and sights that take our breath away.
Azaleas of every color, wisteria, dogwood and redbud trees bloom in profusion bringing joy to our hearts. Even the pollen and the insects put a little extra pep in our step.
Now, what in the world do flowers and plants and the beauty of them have to do with heirlooms? Maybe nothing, but recently I found a website for heirloom seeds. I can attest to you, these seeds from old varieties of plants and flowers historically planted and enjoyed in our part of the world were not inexpensive.
I began thinking about my childhood and I remembered walks with my maternal grandmother, the late J.B. "Annie" Johnson Taylor of Live Oak, Fla. Grandma Taylor could plant anything and make it grow. Her yard and her flower gardens abounded with something beautiful in every season. She truly had a "green thumb."
I remember walking with her in the yard at her home and her stories, as I would ask questions about certain plants and flowers. Very patiently, she would tell me the names of the plants and when they bloomed and very often she would say, "That plant has a lot of meaning to me. A dear friend, now gone on to be with the Lord, gave me a cutting of that plant many years ago and I have moved it and re-planted it in two or three different places. When it's in full bloom, as it is now, I remember my friend and our visits and it seems that she lives on in that plant and those flowers. I think of her friendship and I know I was blessed. What we shared was very precious. "
My grandma did not leave me expensive jewelry, nor a trust fund with tens of thousands of dollars, but what she left me has more value than any of that. Jewelry is nice when you wear it and money comes and goes, but the memories of my childhood walks with my grandma are priceless and beautiful and, to me, those stories and their beauty constitute an heirloom and a priceless one.
During this glorious time of year, many people make pilgrimages to famous gardens. We have some beautiful ones in our area and they are worth seeing, especially during the spring.
This time of year is one of my favorites, as it makes us think of rebirth, renewal and creates hope within us and, for me, it also takes me on a walk in a beautiful yard with one of the most patient and wonderful ladies who ever lived. Once again, her hand is in mine and we are smiling and laughing as she tells me the wonderful story of her friendship plants and flowers. The value of those memories, to me, is priceless.
From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you all a day filled with joy, peace and, above all, lots of love and laughter.
