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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

What's An Inheritance?

Last summer I lost a very special aunt to lung cancer (okay, they're ALL very special...I shouldn't single anyone out, but this one was the one who stepped in as "mom" when my own mother died).

Over the past year, we've been hearing that certain things were being set aside for members of the family with the intention of "inheritance..." I dislike this process, as most do, because it is fraught with all sorts of angst. But in the end, I recognize that we cherish what we can salvage from a loved-one's lifetime, sometimes irrationally. And of course, there are some occasions when those "things" truly have value. As I am the one in the family who strongly shared the penchant for crafting (more so than most of the others) some specific things found their way to me...

Everything has now arrived (courtesy of a dear cousin, my DD & dear son-in-law, my Big Sis and her husband, also known as BIL). There is much I haven't gone through yet. I know there are sewing things, embroidery things, knitting things, books. But there were a three very special things I thought I'd share with you...

This was my great aunt's sewing machine and when she became ill and moved from her home to be near her neices before her death, it became a part of my aunt's home:

It's a Singer Touch & Sew 648. I have a bit of information on it, but am particularly delighted to see the chair and sewing table (original) are still in wonderful shape - I wouldn't really have expected anything less, considering the two ladies who previously owned it. On the desk are two paintings my aunt purchased from a Vermont artist she had introduced me to and of whom I'm particularly fond, Anne McFarren. I have several of her winter scenes, so I was touched to hear that these summery ones would make their way to me...
And then my cousin asked if I'd like this "Victorian monstrosity!" I don't think it's Victorian. But I don't have any idea what it is...

How about you?

4 comments:

Ruinwen Dagorielle said...

Not sure what "that" is but the table and chair are lovely. When you sew with the new machine I know you will think fondly of your Aunt.

People we love leave footprints on our hearts that will always be a part of us. I'm happy that you received some beautiful treasures from someone who meant so much to you. :)

Pam! said...

hmmmm... that's intriguing! I feel a longing for it, whatever it is. heh heh
Does the center part lift out? Or is it one piece? I'm a gonna do a little research while I'm recovering. Vewy Intewesting. LOL

kat said...

no idea what it is but I'm glad you got things that meant something to you from your aunt. everytime you see them or use them it will bring her into your life again

Plain Jane said...

I'm not sure what it is either, but I can see it holding a *LOT* of yarn! With Singer sewing machines, you can usually find parts and manuals for the most antique ones - I was able to walk into the local store and buy a leather belt for Grandma Dunham's treadle machine and the bobbins from that one and my 1968 Singer zig-zag are interchangable as are many of the antique attachments that make ruffles, pleats and other fancy stuff.