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Pearls and Lace, My Favorites!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

I Figured Out Why I Love Old Stuff!

At least for me.  
It's something to do with my heritage.

I love old photos, those images of long ago people with stoic looks on their faces, hair that grew all their lives all curled or stacked up on their heads, dresses that were full of fancy laces and ruffles, hats that were stunning!  Those faces and eyes held many stories, many loves, many pains.
And yet, they were REAL people.  They lived, breathed, had lives that meant something.

My great great grandparents and great grsndmother


As many of you who have read my blog before are aware, I was adopted.
I didn't HAVE a heritage as I grew up.  I didn't look like them, act like them, think like them.
And for those reasons, I was the outcast, black sheep of the 'famly'.
But at age 30, God allowed me to find my birth mother!
I HAVE A HERITAGE!

You can read my Adoption story here.

My Birth Mother as a Baby

Me as a Baby

As I got to know my birth mother better over the years, I asked many questions.
She shared generously all she knew, and I met and talked with many of my older relatives too.
Photos and stories were shared with me, precious memories and love.
Acceptance.  

To know that I'm not just a stick added to someone's family tree, then erased, is awesome.
KNOWING is freedom for me!

My Birth Mother

So, why do I love old stuff?  It's because all the old stuff was around when my ancestors were alive.
Perhaps I find a little old piece of lace that was used on a dress way back in the 1800's.
Well, someone made that lace, someone wore that lace, and someone took care of it over the years so that it is now in my possession.  That meant a lot to them, and it means a lot to me.

As the years go by, I hope that the pieces I have been entrusted with will be owned by others who see it for the beauty and history and nostalgia that it inspires in me.  They are all so unique, just like we are.  As I look at your blogs, your You Tube videos, your artwork, I see so many beautiful ladies who love similar things that I do.  You ladies are going to be the ones that future girls look to as their ancestors, their history, their inspiration!

So, thank you, each of you, who inspire me, who love things that are old, who see the value of caring and using and making beauty where you are.  Thank you for sharing your lives with us, for teaching us what you know, for being a part of my life and my history.  Some day, our grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc. will look back and say,
"Did you see all those laces that lady had way back in the 2000's?  I want a collection just like that!"

Those old black and white or sepia photos that are cracked and sometimes torn?  Well, I have a few of those now that are MY OWN ANCESTORS!!!
WOW...what a gift!  I'll NEVER give those up.  To see faces that were my own relatives is priceless, and unless you've never gazed at a face that belongs to you, you may not understand.

My Birth Mother

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:
 thou maintainest my lot.
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places;
yea, I have a goodly heritage."
Psalm 16:5-6

And if you have someone you love who doesn't know, who doesn't have that, please try to understand them.  Don't try to fit them into your own mold, don't try to direct their lives to be what you want it to be.  Let them be themselves!  It's NOT WRONG if they don't think like you do.
They are going to be different than you!!!
And it's those differences that God can use to make YOU a better person, just like those differences in you can make them a better person.
And may I just add one more word about it.
Acceptance.

Blessings,
Doni

5 comments:

Roosterhead Designs said...

Hi Doni,
I absolutely love old photo's; and I especially love them when I know they are 'related' to me! When I have a vintage photo in my hands, it just makes me want to create something to honor them~ I Love your photo's here, and I went back and read your adoption story; what a beautiful blessing from God. Take care, ~Karen O

Bernideen said...

I just read your adoption story and how you were reunited with your birth Mother. I am so happy for you. When I was 6 years old my Mother left my father and I was never encouraged to never see him again. My brother spent some time with him later and told me he would not be kind. My Mother remarried when I was 10 and at 12 they changed our names to our step father's. No one ever talked about anything and I guess I assumed I was adopted. My step father always referred to himself as Daddy to me. This summer, he died and within 2 weeks I found out that I was never adopted by him. I am 66 years old. I can tell you, I was very hurt that no one ever set us down and explained. In his inheritance (my Mom died 3 years ago) I was only left a small amount from his life insurance. My 2 step sisters received everything - home, properties and finances. In the year 2005 I had paid $9.95 to go on line to find my birth father had died in 2000. If I had been adopted I think I would have felt a sense of "inclusion". As it was - it was like having no Father for the 2nd time. I too, am a Christian. When I first heard the story about adoption into the family of God - I was all for it! Thank you Heavenly Father for opening your arms to all who want that adoption!

Curtains in My Tree said...


I have a 12 year old grandson who is adopted and he is asking me questions about his birth mother and father. I told him what I felt it was safe to tell him at his age. I told him his parents will let him meet his birth parents when he is 18.

He asks Grandma do you know where they are? and honestly I said no.
His little heart is already asking big questions.
He was one day old when my daughter and her husband got him. I told him he was a gift from God because they wanted a baby so bad and he was that baby. He is a biracial child and goes to an all white school where children are bullies to him and say terrible things to him. breaks my heart. I pray for him daily

I am so thrilled you got to meet your birth Mother and feel her love

Grandma Jan

Unknown said...

What a sad story. You know I can understand you but just a little cause I always felt myself as a stranger in my own family. As well as my friend from paperwriting.xyz told me that he was feeling this way, too. As you said, it all depends on acceptance of humans nature and that we all are different.

Tea Cottage Pretties said...

Dear Doni, this is a lovely post and I believe you wrote it for me. The message was one I needed to hear (read). I am sure others need to hear it as well but I found a certain peace come over me about something I have been struggling with the last couple of years. I thought I had that acceptance and then I lost it but I remember now. Thank you foe sharing this everyone. Love, Beverly

PS I have read your beautiful story and I am at peace for you as well. I can't imagine feeling as you did and knowing that you didn't fit. I am so glad that you found your heritage and your mom was absolutely stunningly beautiful. Just like you.

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