In my last post, I mentioned a gift from my friend Melissa. Today I have the joy of sharing another gift from her, this time in the form of her words. Her blog, Reverie-Daydream, and her online boutique by the same name are two of my favorite online haunts. Whether she's posting one of her fantastic recipes; writing about an amazing museum; sharing her (or her talented husband's) gorgeous photos; or telling a story about her "Little Crumb," the beautiful and charming Gaia, Melissa does it all with incredible style, grace, and classic Southern warmth. Her friendship and encouragement have given me strength many times--and I have never even met her in person! I'm sure I will some day, and I just know that we'll cook a meal together, and it will be one to remember. In the meantime, she has charmed me with this post about her family's deep roots. I have a feeling she'll charm you, too.
Hello Everyone ~
I’m beyond honored to be here; although, a bit nervous and ‘tongue-tied’ since I am sharing my thoughts and words on one of my most admired friend’s blog. Gigi is my writing hero, for I strive to string words eloquently together just as she does on any given subject. Her poetic story-telling talent always leads me to a literary high, and I eagerly await for her posts to appear. Therefore, when she asked me to participate in this beautiful Legacy series, I thought long and hard on what subject to share because for me, the idea of legacy is family. And along with family come certain traits, beliefs, objects and passions.
Being born and raised in the South, my roots are deep in regards to respect, values, and work ethic. From the moment we are born, I believe our mothers teach us to say, yes ma’am, no sir, please and thank you very much to anyone and everyone. We never talk back to our elders, and there is no way on ‘God’s green Earth’, one should ever be late for work (or call in sick unless you are basically on your deathbed). When given a job or a duty, we take it seriously and put our very best into every thing we do or are asked to do. And when something special is given to you, then you treat it with the utmost care and regard it with deep appreciation.
Lucky for me, I have had the opportunity to know most of my great-grandparents before they left for higher places, and three of my grandparents are happily thriving. To this day, I am like a kid in a candy store when my mom-maw or pop-paw begins to share a bit of family history or reminisce of their childhood days. One common thread which continues to be a theme in most of these stories is the entrepreneurial hardworking efforts of my beloved family. I’m thankful to have inherited this worthy gene, and when my crumb was born, I realized I needed a creative outlet as well as a means for income all the while being a full-time mama. The powers that be work in mysterious ways because as I was putting together a business plan for an online boutique, my dearest grandmother sent me a card with a check inside. She explained this was my inheritance, and she would rather see her grandkids use it while she was still with us rather than the usual means that precedes this gift. Unbeknownst to her, I took this generous offering and transformed the dream of owning an artisan boutique into a reality. Several weeks later while visiting my family in Georgia, this very same mom-maw (whom I shared my new endeavor with during this visit) asked if I would like to have her father’s old scale. Not a second lapsed before I declared this gorgeous ‘heirloom’ all mine! It was the property of George Washington Wade, my great-grandfather who was born in 1889. He lived to be 93 years-old, and the scale was his for as long as my grandmother (one of 8 children) could remember. Pop-paw George used it to weigh many of the fruits and vegetables which came from his garden. People from all around would buy their produce from Pop-paw, and he would also barter portions of his crops for meat of nearby farms. To this day, the scale has yet to be calibrated and it weighs perfectly to the exact ounce. How do I know this? Well, it is the very tool I use in weighing all the Reverie-Daydream orders prior to shipping. It sits prominently upon my desk, and every day I look at it, use it, and think of my great-grandfather and my mom-maw and the legacy that has been passed down. A legacy of not only an heirloom I cherish with all my heart, but a family legacy of sustainable business. Gratitude fills my soul for what I have been given, and I can best share my appreciation through actions because in the end, they do speak louder than words.
Image and words by Melissa McArdle
