Saving For Best

My lovely friend, Sue, handmade a journal as my Christmas gift. I was in awe as I opened her parcel on Christmas morning, as I had never received anything like it. Sue made each page from her handmade paper and learnt how to hand stitch and bind them together. Inside, she thoughtfully placed art cards and envelopes in lace pockets, a bookmark, sayings and poetry, a little handmade notebook, stencilled flowers and leaves, stitching, stamping and delicate paintings.

I was speechless as I turned each lovingly crafted page.

Tim and I felt Sue’s love as I sat with her gift in my hands.

Sue and I share a deep love of creativity and the gifts it bestows. Her treasured gift has sat on my bedside table since Christmas, as I felt it was too good to use.

Then I had a word with myself.

All Sue’s loving effort would have been for nought if I didn’t use her gift. So, after a flash of inspiration in a dream one night last week, I sat first thing and started to write on the pages. Recording the dream and the thoughts for a long term creative project of my own.

I chose a special pen that one of my families had gifted me, which sits in a holder covered with rabbits and spring flowers.

It set me thinking about all the things we keep for best. I recall back in the day when there was a parlour in the homes on the terraced streets. The family lived their everyday lives in the kitchen at the back, and the parlour at the front was kept for best. For Sundays, family get togethers or when the priest or vicar came to call.

After the Second World War, and many years of lack, it was natural to keep treasured possessions for best.

I thought about the things I have been keeping for best.

The Converse shoes I painted for our wedding day. After all, it was totally impractical to wear heels on a steam railway! Emily and I both wore hand painted Converse, and I have kept mine in a box at the back of our wardrobe for over a year.

Now I have decided to wear them every day.

Emily gifted a pair of earrings this Christmas, which I treasure. They are made from our birthstones: Aquamarine for Tim, Blue Topaz for me and Amethyst for Em.

I wear her thoughtfulness every time we visit the hospital. 💕