My mom’s home office heavily inspired our family room. Her room of piles was always my favorite as a child, and while you would think it was all about the books, that wasn’t the only draw. On those shelves, the same shelves that held all her research, all her books on feminism, all her books on politics, all her books on literature and violent crimes (the woman is obsessed) also sat an assortment of really bad gifts.
A pinch pot in the shape of a square with a giant M in blue.
A plastic, wind-up stained glass “window” with a Bible verse. Cranking the key set off a magnet on the inside, which is what made the white, misshapen dove fly around to a tinny rendition of Amazing Grace.
A trio of mice wearing formal attire playing instruments in a symphony.
A resin pot of pansies, broken.
A stuffed Precious Moments wind-up doll holding a crayon and a note that reads, “I luv you mommy.”
And worse. Or better. It depends on your perspective. They still sit on her shelves.
Each gift received a place of honor, and it was a great source of pride for me to walk in and see mice playing bass next to Jean-Paul Sarte…or a book of mugshots. I didn’t understand why she would clutter up her pretty office with my cheap gifts, but it made me happy. That’s what I wanted from our family room: a room that was me and them and us.
A room where I can proudly display a card that says, “I hope the sith don’t catch you, mom!”
Next to a pot that grows flower-sons and suns who “Love me to pieces.”
I understand now why my mom gushed over scuttling doves and bad pottery. More than anything, I want the boys to look back and know I appreciated every googly-eyed doll made from pipe cleaners. I want them to remember they napped in rooms with open windows under the watchful eyes of handmade gifts more priceless than the fanciest of leather bound books.
Just one of the many reasons mom’s are so awesome!
So true. I hope my boys think that of me one day.
What a wonderful way to view a room, “a room that was me and them and us.” Also, I really love your comment edit option and the countdown to permanence. So perfect :)
The comment edit feature is a must for me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left a comment on a blog only to see an annoying typo!
Awww, man, I have never known what to do with all that stuff. I don’t have a place to display it, so whenever I do a massive clean-out, those are the areas where I get stuck. I do, however have a large bookshelf. Hmmm.
Just another reason to love bookshelves. For a long time I kept their artwork on display, taped to the wall above the fish tank. Just recently I put them away in their memory boxes–though I really wanted to toss them. The flower pot has a little more permanence, as do the cards…but I’m sure they’ll be swapped for something else in years to come.
Thanks for the reminder Jules…about how important it is to demonstrate that we value the “little” things. that you remember that and want to emulate it means that it wasn’t the little things but it was HUGE. BTW, I’m into true crime too…LOL
great post, like, really great. what seem like little things to us are huge things to our kids!
I like what both you and Cara said, and it wasn’t until you said that I realized that it must have been a big deal for me if it shaped the way I do things with my boys. Crazy!
so true. I rotate their drawings and such on the fridge, held up by tape no less because it’s not magnetized. It honestly looks so crappy but they love seeing their work on display, and what’s more valuable than that? That last shot is awesome. Priceless in fact. Hope you had a happy Mother’s Day.
My fridge isn’t magnetized, either. I’ve seen on a few blogs moms who get these large cork board things (like, seriously 8-10′ long!) and they pin all the artwork on that. It looks really cool, but whenever I try something similar here, I feel antsy. It looks to crazy cluttered or something.
for the walls right? the problem is you’ve seen my house, there’s really no empty wall space. only one in the family room and it wouldn’t be a good place for that. But yes, those are awesome!
Oh my goodness Jules! My daughter Olivia made me the same mother’s day craft at preschool!
It’s up on the mantel as we speak :)
Aww! We’re twinsies! :)
Jules, your way with words never ceases to amaze me. Seriously, when are you going to get a book deal already? I’d read a book of your essays in a heartbeat. That last paragraph is perfection, and such a powerful tribute to mothers of all kinds.
Thanks, Annie. You make me feel good. :) I doubt I will get a book deal anytime soon. Those sorts of things go to bloggers with a much larger audience and with something specific to say. It sure would be nice, though.
beautiful post.