Traditions and Heirlooms

This bracelet belonged to your grandmother
Who wore it on her wedding day.
I wore it for my wedding too
And now I pass it on to you.
A family heirloom for you to pass along
To daughter sweet or son so strong
For a girl to wear as a lovely bride
Or for son to bestow to the woman
Who is to stand by his side.
May it remind you of all who love you
As you go through your married life
And experience the joy and happiness
Of being someone's wife.
Thena

Family Name

My father took it seriously
As had the ones before him
To keep his name unblemished
As did the ones who bore him.

He kept his name unblemished
And maintained it spotlessly
So that it would be a treasured gift
When he passed it down to me.

I think of this when I am tempted
To do something that is in bad taste
It keeps me out of trouble
And prevents me acting out in haste.

I remember all the ones before me
Who handled their name so respectfully
And I would not want our family name
To come to dishonor with me.

Thena


Grandmother's Dress

I watch them as they try it on
The once lovely wedding dress
Which so unmercifully
Has been left in tatters
Except for what most maters...
the memories.

The cousins take turns
Trying on the dress
And checking themselves out
They preen and turn themselves about
To get a better view and get nearer
to the mirror.

They know that this dress is special
As are the memories of the day
That the dress was worn
So long before they were born.

Soon it will be a memory itself
And be in little pieces glued in a shadow box
And have a place of honor on a shelf...
A mere shadow of its former elegant self...

Grandmother's Dress....

Thena

Tradition

Everyone needs a tradition
And tradition needs a place to start
ANd though they involve material things
Each tradition starts in ones heart.

This little plate can be used as such
A place from which it can grow
The tradition of presenting special cakes on it
And in time your family heritage will show.

Treat it gently throughout the years
And down through the ages it will be
Treasured and cherished and loved
As part of your history.
Thena


Just for You

This little bracelet
Is to remind you
Of this very special day
And it will grow with you
No need to put it away.
Just wear it on each special occasion
Today and all the years to come
And I will add to it as you grow
For each special one.
And then when you marry
It will be ready for you to wear
As you walk down the aisle
To wed the one whose life you will share.
Thena

A Tiny Bit of Floss

How precious a tiny bit of floss
Can be to those who love
A precious and dear grandmother
Who resides in Heaven above.
I used floss that belonged to your grandmother
To create this little gift
And it is my heartfelt prayer today
That it will give your heart a lift.
For she would love to be here
To share with you this special day
I chose to create this gift
So she could be here in this way.
Thena

For My Niece

What a wonderful day is before you
A day that you will always treasure
One with such love and joy
That it is impossible to measure.

Creating a gift with your Grandmother's floss
Was from my heart and my own loving way
Of giving you something special of hers
To remind you of her love today.

If God allows those He has called home
To watch from Heaven's balcony up above
Then know that she is there today
Looking down on you with all her love.

Thena