Just after the New Year, my 93-year-old grandmother passed away after a long illness. She was a firecracker of a lady who lived a great story, loved and was loved, and made the best scrambled eggs you have ever tasted.
At Grannie’s funeral, I wore a mother’s ring she passed down to me. This item was one she particularly wanted me to have: when I was little, I would have her point to each gemstone, tell me whose birthstone was whose, when their birthday was, and then repeat it again. And again. And again.
It’s not worth any money, but it’s worth so much to me. I was so honored that she thought of me and made sure that I would have that memory to pass down to someone else some day.
With her death, these past few weeks have been a really reflective time for me. And it's got me thinking about a few of the other things I’ve inherited from my family members over the years.
What I received: 150-year-old wooden travel trunk from my grandfather, Tom
Why: As a baby, while playing in my grandparent's home, I apparently crawled up to the trunk and patted my hand on it. My pawpaw saw me do it, and from then on out, said that the trunk would be passed down to me. (Clearly, it was the cutest patting-of-a-trunk ever witnessed. It's too bad I don't have this kind of magic today.) It came from my great-great-grandfather's first wife, who used it to move from Texas to North Carolina after they married.
Other things I inherited from him: A passion for beautiful surroundings and large open spaces (you should have seen his acres of flower and vegetable gardens!)
What I received: Mary Had a Little Lamb celluloid toy from Lillian, my great aunt
Why: This was Aunt Lillian's toy as a child. I was the first grandchild in our family, and was unfortunately the only kid she got to know--she passed away when I was really young (although I do remember her). That said, I was, by default, her favorite grand-niece, and she wanted me to have something that had been hers.
Other things I inherited from her: A love of old homes and of children
What I received: Books from both my grandfather, Arthur, and my Grannie, Lucille
Why: My grandpa was really into me being serious about my schoolwork, and loved that I loved learning, too. I have his paperback copy of “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau. I would often see him reading this (which I
adore) and I asked to have the copy when he passed away. I received some of Grannie's nursing-school books (among others) when we cleaned out her home, and they are a wonderful reminder of her commitment to her career.
Other things I inherited from them: My Grannie's perseverance, stubbornness, and dedication; my grandfather's big ideas and even his ability to whistle. And I mean really whistle.
What about you? Do you have anything passed down to you that's special--or that made you special?
Brooklyn, 
