My maternal grandmother Marie passed when I was only three years old. While I didn’t get to spend years upon years with her in my life, I actually can recall three specific memories: visiting and her feeding me greens and cornbread; going to the store and her telling my Mama to let me get what I want; and heading to her funeral with my Dad.
When she passed, my mom received some of her effects, one being a metal, yellow plate that I have informally claimed as my own. It was the same plate she fed me from. There are times when I’m a little stressed or feeling sentimental and I search for my yellow plate. I dump whatever food I have on that plate and think about my grandmother.
It’s something very simple, but it means the world to me. When our family members are absent from our lives, we have to find creative ways to not only stay connected to them, but to pass on their stories to the next generation.
A few months ago, my three-year old nephew was visiting and I looked over and my mom (his grandmother) was feeding him from “my” yellow plate. Perfect.
Do you own items that help you remember lost loved ones?