Can you tell I have way too much time to play on the computer?
Clare at Clare's craftroom is having Tuesday Treasures on her blog. I decided to join in but have too many treasures to mention just one so it took some thought.....
Here is my old bottle collection we joke that this is my inheritance from my Dad.
He used to bring them home from wherever he was working and they turned up when they were digging to lay concrete. He must have thought I would like them so he would always make a fuss about giving me the new 'discovery'.
There is also a really cute cupey doll in Brass (I think) that may have been a mould that he brought home too. She is special too. My father and I had an unusual relationship, I am not as close to him as I am with my mum so I did treasure these dirty bottles that needed some work to clean. They were from him.
When I got married I always said I wanted a cabinet to display these treasures and some years ago I finally got one. They went from twenty years in a box in the cupboard to pride of place. There are also some blue and white goodies that get to live with the bottles too.
Dad developed early dementia 10 years ago and now doesn't speak. He just seems to be happy laughing all the time so it appears he is content. He is still at home, looked after by mum. He loves to come here and get his cuppa and treat. He seems happy to see us as we are familiar but he hasn't spoken my name or my boys' for at least four years.
Dementia isn't as romantic as it is in the movies, there isn't any chance to say all the things you want to say. You just live to see that glint of recognition, for whatever reason and you hang on to that. It isn't good to dwell on it just accept things as they are and keep going. It is sad and cruel.
I love these bottles and wish he could tell me all over again the where and when that he found them and discuss the markings on them and so forth.
But it can't be everything is lost in the void.
Sorry for such a serious post I don't usually like to be so serious It just ran away from me.....
Thanks Clare for the idea of the treasure posts....
Marina
Clare at Clare's craftroom is having Tuesday Treasures on her blog. I decided to join in but have too many treasures to mention just one so it took some thought.....
Here is my old bottle collection we joke that this is my inheritance from my Dad.
He used to bring them home from wherever he was working and they turned up when they were digging to lay concrete. He must have thought I would like them so he would always make a fuss about giving me the new 'discovery'.
There is also a really cute cupey doll in Brass (I think) that may have been a mould that he brought home too. She is special too. My father and I had an unusual relationship, I am not as close to him as I am with my mum so I did treasure these dirty bottles that needed some work to clean. They were from him.
When I got married I always said I wanted a cabinet to display these treasures and some years ago I finally got one. They went from twenty years in a box in the cupboard to pride of place. There are also some blue and white goodies that get to live with the bottles too.
Dad developed early dementia 10 years ago and now doesn't speak. He just seems to be happy laughing all the time so it appears he is content. He is still at home, looked after by mum. He loves to come here and get his cuppa and treat. He seems happy to see us as we are familiar but he hasn't spoken my name or my boys' for at least four years.
Dementia isn't as romantic as it is in the movies, there isn't any chance to say all the things you want to say. You just live to see that glint of recognition, for whatever reason and you hang on to that. It isn't good to dwell on it just accept things as they are and keep going. It is sad and cruel.
I love these bottles and wish he could tell me all over again the where and when that he found them and discuss the markings on them and so forth.
But it can't be everything is lost in the void.
Thanks Clare for the idea of the treasure posts....
Marina
What an amazing collection! They sure would take a lot of work to clean, but then the dust almost adds to their charm...Thanks for sharing special & touching story behind them...
ReplyDeleteoops, sorry forgot to apologise about the dust! Can you tell that I don't dust often?
ReplyDeleteHow embarrassment!
I read your beautiful post through tears . Thankyou so much for sharing your treasures and so much of yourself , it was really lovely .
ReplyDeleteI think our blogs do more for us than just share our crafting. They are our diaries and none of our experiences are mutually exclusive from each other. I enjoyed reading about your special collection. Don't worry, the dust makes them look more authentic. Why dust when you can sew!
ReplyDeleteThose old bottles are beautiful just the way they are and all the more special for coming from your Dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely bottles and a wonderful story to go with them. My grandad suffered from Alzeimers for many many years and like you say you do seem to lose them from your life although they are still there :-( He sounds like a very happy chap which is wonderful and your mother and your family are obviously doing a fantastic job looking after him.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have even noticed the dust on them, if the first commenter hadn't pointed it out LOL!
ReplyDeleteI think it is a lovely and obviously very special collection that you are lucky to have.
Dementia is a terrible thing, and I saw my Pop struggled to look after my Nan going through it. My Mum is starting to be quite forgetful and I am so hoping she is not going to succumb to it for Dad's sake as well as hers.
What a lovely story to share with the blogoverse and I think it's wonderful that those bottles meant so much to you that you kept them.
ReplyDeleteMust be hard to see your Dad and not hear him speak at least he's still smiling.
Hugs to you
Jo
What a lovely collection and a very lovely story about your dad. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeletei am typing this with tears in my eyes...what an amazing collection of memories.
ReplyDeletexxrosey
What a super collection (to be quite honest I thought the dust was there on purpose - adds an authentic ageing to the bottles!) Dementia is cruel - my thoughts are with you.... Dad's are so special....
ReplyDelete