How beautiful! I also wear my Grandma’s wedding ring.
I was obsessed with seeing inside drawers as a kid, my mums, my grandmas - the smell (soaps), the trinkets, the things tucked away. I’ve made memory boxes for our kids - they have no interest in them right now but I’m hopeful.
Another perfectly captured and crafted gem. Laura. Wondering how much you have to work at a piece like this to make it seem so effortless... I'm old enough to recall the expression 'putting on one's face', and I still think of it when I do the same each day, before I'm ready to go out and face the world! Ah, tea cups... I hope one day you will unwrap your grandmother's lovely rose tea cups (like opening a present!) and enjoy tea from them once again!
Thank you so much Jacqueline. I had the idea for the piece when I was swimming, and then ideas and images came together during the course of the weekend. It did take me most of the day to write once I sat down—I write in school hours, so have a 3pm deadline! I will definitely use the teacups again one day. 🫖
Just beautiful, and sweet as roses. I also wear my grandmother's engagement ring. Maybe one day I will be able to pass it on to a future grand-daughter. Wearable treasures are the best!
I love this story Laura! How you admired your Grandma so. The story brought me right back to days spent watching my Grandma apply her makeup with a stained and battered powder puff in her pink decorated bathroom, with the same smell of roses.
I chuckle as I now have become her. On a trip with my daughter to the sea this past weekend, I bought a small rose scented soap that is keeping the smells that remind me of my Grandma fresh and alive today in my own bathroom. And as I type, sitting beside my computer is a room spray with the title Bed of Roses, an uplifting spray from Two Drunk Witches, a modern apothecary!
I was reading your book yesterday, searching for inspiration to get back at my writing. The chapters I read enticed me and your story today has inspired me to keep at it.
Oh this is so lovely to hear, Kathy! I’m so glad that you are still writing. The battered powderpuff, I love that image. All these things we carry with us.
Gorgeous images and ideas here. Love that you won't share what you think of The Secret History before your son reads it. Also enjoy the way you approach ritual of makeup (and scent) here. My 4 year old loves to watch me put on the little makeup I wear and always wants to try it himself. I think there's something about the looking in the mirror during the experience -- the self reflection and finding one's beauty -- that is really powerful, whether with make up or brushing hair or even brushing teeth! Thanks for this beautiful read.
Thanks so much Kathleen. I am really hoping he will have finished it by the time he gets back! Yes, I love that— self reflection and finding one’s beauty—such a gorgeous way to put it. My feelings about those rituals have changed as I get older—there’s something so powerful about the way that the rituals stay (largely) the same, but our faces don’t.
I am presently staying in a cottage dating from 1824 in Tasmania Australia. It is very cold and a quaint cottage set up how it would have been but with electricity and heaters. It is our 50 th wedding anniversary. I am sitting up in an old double bed ( not queen or king) and your beautiful writing just spoke to me. Thankyou
This is breathtaking. I found my body relaxing and my breathing slowing down as I read your words. You're a fantastic writer. Thank you for sharing this.
“Inheritance, I am learning, blooms slowly—layers like petals, peeling back with the years. For me, it carries the glint of gold. It leaves behind the scent of roses.” Thank you for opening this up Laura. It is gorgeous. In 1995, I was also the same age as my daughter is now. I wear my grandmother’s band and I remember her taking off her face with cold cream using the mirror on the kitchen table. We spent a lot of time with my grandparents playing games in a place without electricity- I try to recreate these moments with my own kids with varying success- glints of gold. Grateful to you this morning.
Oh these are all such magical memories. I love that so many of us wear our grandmother’s rings, and that we once shared their mirrors with them. Such sweet intimacy, although I thought nothing of it at the time.
Ditto all the other comments, such a lovely piece! My husband wears my grandmother's wedding ring. It is perfectly fine and worn for a man with beautiful, creative hands. And my 15-old-daughter is as obsessed with The Secret History as I was...along with I Capture The Castle :)
Touching and tender piece, Laura. I much enjoyed reading it and the memories it evoked for me of my maternal grandfather, of whom I was close. And also thoughts of my grandchildren and how one day they might call up comforting memories of me. I hope your eldest teen enjoys Donna Tartt. I'm sure he will if he's inherited his mother's taste in good literature.
Beautiful Laura. I wear my grandmothers engagement ring, my brave hubby carried it the whole way to Thailand to propose with! I can't believe your eldest is off on his own travels.
How beautiful! I also wear my Grandma’s wedding ring.
I was obsessed with seeing inside drawers as a kid, my mums, my grandmas - the smell (soaps), the trinkets, the things tucked away. I’ve made memory boxes for our kids - they have no interest in them right now but I’m hopeful.
A beautiful piece Laura! ✨ 🌸
Oh, all the treasures! I think it’s perhaps something we see the value of over time. My kids wouldn’t be interested yet, either.
Yea hopefully. ✨🌱💌
I watch my nieces go through my mom’s house in this way!
Aww what a beautiful connect. ✨
Another perfectly captured and crafted gem. Laura. Wondering how much you have to work at a piece like this to make it seem so effortless... I'm old enough to recall the expression 'putting on one's face', and I still think of it when I do the same each day, before I'm ready to go out and face the world! Ah, tea cups... I hope one day you will unwrap your grandmother's lovely rose tea cups (like opening a present!) and enjoy tea from them once again!
Thank you so much Jacqueline. I had the idea for the piece when I was swimming, and then ideas and images came together during the course of the weekend. It did take me most of the day to write once I sat down—I write in school hours, so have a 3pm deadline! I will definitely use the teacups again one day. 🫖
Just beautiful, and sweet as roses. I also wear my grandmother's engagement ring. Maybe one day I will be able to pass it on to a future grand-daughter. Wearable treasures are the best!
Oh they really are. Beautiful everyday remembrance. 💞
I love this story Laura! How you admired your Grandma so. The story brought me right back to days spent watching my Grandma apply her makeup with a stained and battered powder puff in her pink decorated bathroom, with the same smell of roses.
I chuckle as I now have become her. On a trip with my daughter to the sea this past weekend, I bought a small rose scented soap that is keeping the smells that remind me of my Grandma fresh and alive today in my own bathroom. And as I type, sitting beside my computer is a room spray with the title Bed of Roses, an uplifting spray from Two Drunk Witches, a modern apothecary!
I was reading your book yesterday, searching for inspiration to get back at my writing. The chapters I read enticed me and your story today has inspired me to keep at it.
Thank you so much!
Kathy
Oh this is so lovely to hear, Kathy! I’m so glad that you are still writing. The battered powderpuff, I love that image. All these things we carry with us.
Gorgeous images and ideas here. Love that you won't share what you think of The Secret History before your son reads it. Also enjoy the way you approach ritual of makeup (and scent) here. My 4 year old loves to watch me put on the little makeup I wear and always wants to try it himself. I think there's something about the looking in the mirror during the experience -- the self reflection and finding one's beauty -- that is really powerful, whether with make up or brushing hair or even brushing teeth! Thanks for this beautiful read.
Thanks so much Kathleen. I am really hoping he will have finished it by the time he gets back! Yes, I love that— self reflection and finding one’s beauty—such a gorgeous way to put it. My feelings about those rituals have changed as I get older—there’s something so powerful about the way that the rituals stay (largely) the same, but our faces don’t.
I am presently staying in a cottage dating from 1824 in Tasmania Australia. It is very cold and a quaint cottage set up how it would have been but with electricity and heaters. It is our 50 th wedding anniversary. I am sitting up in an old double bed ( not queen or king) and your beautiful writing just spoke to me. Thankyou
Oh that sounds utterly magical Kaylene! Thank you for reading, and happy anniversary. 💛
This is such a beautiful reflection, grateful that I got to start my day with reading this ♥️
Thank you so much Laura, I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
This is breathtaking. I found my body relaxing and my breathing slowing down as I read your words. You're a fantastic writer. Thank you for sharing this.
Goodness. I don’t know what to say! Thank you so much. 💫💫💫
You paint pictures with your beautiful words Laura and transport us into your world. I loved reading this with my morning coffee
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kate. Thank you for reading.
Such a perfectly formed story. It’s made me feel lighter after reading it. So much beauty, so much truth
Thank you so much Sally, what a lovely thing to say. I felt better for writing it.
“Inheritance, I am learning, blooms slowly—layers like petals, peeling back with the years. For me, it carries the glint of gold. It leaves behind the scent of roses.” Thank you for opening this up Laura. It is gorgeous. In 1995, I was also the same age as my daughter is now. I wear my grandmother’s band and I remember her taking off her face with cold cream using the mirror on the kitchen table. We spent a lot of time with my grandparents playing games in a place without electricity- I try to recreate these moments with my own kids with varying success- glints of gold. Grateful to you this morning.
Oh these are all such magical memories. I love that so many of us wear our grandmother’s rings, and that we once shared their mirrors with them. Such sweet intimacy, although I thought nothing of it at the time.
Ditto all the other comments, such a lovely piece! My husband wears my grandmother's wedding ring. It is perfectly fine and worn for a man with beautiful, creative hands. And my 15-old-daughter is as obsessed with The Secret History as I was...along with I Capture The Castle :)
Oh yes! I Capture the Castle is also one of my absolute favourites! Perhaps I will see if he would like to read that next...
Touching and tender piece, Laura. I much enjoyed reading it and the memories it evoked for me of my maternal grandfather, of whom I was close. And also thoughts of my grandchildren and how one day they might call up comforting memories of me. I hope your eldest teen enjoys Donna Tartt. I'm sure he will if he's inherited his mother's taste in good literature.
Thank you so much Harry! I’m hoping he will have finished it by the time he comes home.
A beautiful memoir, with words that weave together the generations. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you so much for reading Jo.
Beautiful Laura. I wear my grandmothers engagement ring, my brave hubby carried it the whole way to Thailand to propose with! I can't believe your eldest is off on his own travels.
Thanks so much Caroline. Ooh, that was brave indeed! Yes, I can’t believe it either. He’s in Paris, having the best time...
Roses remind me of my grandmother as well 🥀❤️
I love how many of us share these associations. Thank you so much for sharing this on Notes, much appreciated.
You are welcome! 🤗