Sunday night rewind
{Blog post originally published on 17 September, 2009. Hope you've had a lovely Sunday, lovely folk. See you tomorrow! xxx}
Families are full of stories.
My Mum has a hundred of them, one which has always stuck with me. She told me once about an aunt of hers, Aunt Lillian, who married Oz, I think in about 1920.
Oz was from a wealthy farming family, the Lammonds, and was set up to inherit very well.
Oz, however, had itchy feet. He didn't want to start working on the family farm straight away. He wanted to go do stuff.
When he told his father this plan, the old grumpy patriarch said he'd cut him out of the will if he didn't buckle down and get to work.
Oz went anyway. And was cut out of the will.
He eventually went south to Currarong and somewhere out the back of beyond he found a farm for rent. He eked out a living with Lillian and four bright young children. And pretty much had nothing. No money, no transport, no shoes on the kids' feet.
Lillian homeschooled. She taught the kids elocution, music and literature. And she made do with a dirt floor.
One day she walked into town, an hour away. And she bought a teacup.
She took it home, and made a cup of tea in it.
Her relatives were utterly horrified. The children have no shoes and you bought a TEACUP? How COULD you, Lillian?
And Lillian said: 'Because I just wanted something beautiful.'
I remember Mum had tears in her eyes when she told this story, filled with empathy for this very intelligent and cultured woman with her precious teacup and dirt floor and judgmental in-laws. It's so different for so many of us now. We're very lucky.
Some of us choose to spend our beans on overseas adventures. Some choose to buy incredibly beautiful clothes. Some love cars. Some spend it all on someone else.
Me? I have a beautiful teacup which makes me think of Aunt Lillian.
What about you? Is there anything material that matters to you?
xxx
P.S. Thanks for the story, Mum.
brenda
September 19, 2011 at 2:27 amQUILTS made by my grandmothers.
Karmyn R
September 19, 2011 at 3:52 amWhat a wonderful story.
My great-grandma collected teacups. We all received one when she passed away and I have it displayed.
Jeanette
September 19, 2011 at 7:43 amWonderful story. The handmade gifts i have matter to me. Along with all my quits i’ve made.
Tricia
September 19, 2011 at 8:04 amI have one of my Grans tea cups – have done for around 10 years. I only started drinking out of it a few weeks ago. I LOVE sitting down and having moments with that tea cup.
Sharyne
September 19, 2011 at 4:02 pmMy mum’s beautiful Royal Petal dinnerset that she put on layby when she and my Dad were first married and paid off over 6 months. She was just 18 years old and had very little – but that dinnerset was her pride and joy. It is now MY pride and joy & I love nothing better than bringing it out on our family special occasions. I know she would be smiling.
Suzanne
September 20, 2011 at 9:06 amLove that story. For some reason it made me cry and I don’t exactly know why. I do know however that a beautiful teacup brings me great joy and reading this blog each day.