MEMORIES of MOMMA*:
In honor of Valentine's Day, I'd like to show off this little handmade Valentine's Day paper bag that's one of my top 5 prized possessions — no exaggeration!
Momma made this for me in 1991 when I was in the 2nd grade. I've kept it all these years.
I'm guessing the classroom teacher asked all the parents to send a little Valentine's surprise with their children to school that day, something we could open mid-day. I remember how excited I was about my gift bag, how I kept trying to peek inside through the staples at the top.
Momma was so incredibly resourceful and creative! She made this figurine out of heart-shaped scraps of fabric and polka-dotted ribbon. Her attention to detail was impeccable. Look at the heart above the "i" in my name, and check out the figurine's hair made of yarn. She used ribbon to make the bag's handles. She even hotglued on the googly eyes and wrote my school year on the bottom of the bag, so we'd remember. And I do remember. She is how she showed LOVE.
Momma's thoughtfulness was her greatest talent, and I strive to show this same level of thoughtfulness to those I care about. This is how I show love, too. I think it's one of the greatest traits that she could have passed down to me. I love that this is part of her legacy.
Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!
*It's Day 35 of my 71 day photo series in honor of my dear sweet Momma who passed away on 03.21.2016 after a harrowing 71 day health battle. Those 71 days do not define her. Oh no. What defines her — and me — are the incredible 66 years that she lived her life. I hope you enjoy these snapshots of the beautiful moments and memories of her life.