April 5, 2012

Legacy

Last week, I received an envelope in the mail (the tangible, 3D mail!) that was such a precious surprise: a hand-written note from my grandpa, whom I call Pop, with a folded card tucked inside from what seems like a lifetime ago.


At first glance, this card might seem to most to be something of little consequence: Five brightly colored balloons drawn in colored pencil alongside letter stickers with wishes for a happy birthday, displayed on folded ream paper from my family’s old dot matrix printer. (Remember having to tear off all of those perforated edges?) Inside the card, a hand-written note, in the somewhat haphazard penmanship of my elementary school days:

We love you!
Best wishes for your birthday!
How old are you again?
My attempt at sarcasm at the tender age of 9. ;)

Love ya!
Amy


As I sat staring at the little card the other day, I have to admit that I felt tears streaming down my face. Not out of sadness, mind you, but out of the profoundness of something that touched me to my core and struck me as immensely meaningful:

After twenty-some-odd years, my grandpa had kept that little note, tucked away as a memento of a time gone by. 

I can picture him happening upon it every now and then throughout the passing years, the way his eyes would shine and a sparkle of a smile would spread over his face as he held a tangible connection to the the little girl who used to bound through his door, bow-head bobbing, ready for another adventure at Pop and Mammo’s house. He would probably examine the handwriting, wondering how it could be possible that the little girl who had penned that note could now be raising children of her own.

Friends, I want to tell you something today, something very, very important: 
The things we make matter. 

Sure, not every one of our creative endeavors will stand the test of time. But be assured that there are some things we make - even things as seemingly insignificant as a handmade card - that will be kept, that will be cherished. 

No matter your medium – be it paper or fabric, wood or canvas, paint or ink – be proud that your craft, your talent, is something that will leave a legacy. Something that will make a mark.

Thank you, Pop, for teaching me yet another valuable lesson!

Pop and me, ca. 1983

Photobucket

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you'll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Amy @ Positively Splendid

@splendidamy

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13 Responses to Legacy

  1. Grabbing My Happy April 5, 2012 at 5:50 pm #

    *sniff, sniff* You are so right. I needed to read this today. THANK YOU for sharing it. :)

    Reply
  2. Katie {Sweet Rose Studio} April 5, 2012 at 5:51 pm #

    I love this post Amy. First, your grandpa is seriously amazing for keeping something as simple as a birthday card like that for all of these years. I also like the sentiment behind your post: What we make matters. On days when I struggle with new material for my blog, I always try to remind myself that it’s about quality, not quantity and your message echoes the same idea. I hope that all of thehandmade things that I’ve created for my family and friends are cherished even half as much as your sweet birthday card was. :)

    Reply
  3. Stef April 5, 2012 at 6:17 pm #

    So sweet. Thanks for the reminder!!

    xo,
    Stef

    Reply
  4. Margaux at YoungNesters April 5, 2012 at 6:38 pm #

    What lovely sentiment! I am currently working on organizing boxes and boxes of childhood memorabilia that my mom saved for me and dumped in my lap as soon as I had a house of my own to store it, ha! But it really has been so sweet finding treasure after treasure.

    Reply
  5. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain April 5, 2012 at 6:46 pm #

    Very sweet indeed–thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. sip-n-wear April 5, 2012 at 7:13 pm #

    Awww how sweet is that!?

    Reply
  7. Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} April 5, 2012 at 7:40 pm #

    So sweet, Amy! Such a wonderful share. (And the girls are a spitting image of you!!)

    Reply
  8. Paula April 5, 2012 at 8:54 pm #

    This is such a sweet post. I hope that your grandfather sees it!

    Reply
  9. brandi b April 5, 2012 at 9:06 pm #

    That is precious.

    Reply
  10. CreativiT April 6, 2012 at 12:47 am #

    Thank you for sharing this Amy and what a great reminder that what we make does matter!

    Reply
  11. Tabitha April 6, 2012 at 3:12 am #

    Thank you for sharing. We all need a little reminder every once in a while.

    Tabitha
    tabadilly.blogspot.com

    Reply
  12. Jennifer Curtis April 6, 2012 at 7:43 am #

    this was such a sweet and endearing post. I cried. Thanks for sharing it Amy.

    Reply
  13. Charlene@APinchofJoy April 7, 2012 at 3:05 pm #

    Love the expression on your grandpa’s face in the picture of the two of you. He’s one proud and happy grandpa! So sweet — thanks for sharing.

    Reply

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