Those Memorable Gifts
June 11, 2007
Other than the first three years of my life, I’ve never lived near my grandparents. We saw them once, on occassion, twice during the year, and it was always a highlight.
When I was a preschooler, one of my grandmothers made a tape for me. She read storybooks and poems and talked about the lake behind their house freezing over. I think I was three, almost four, when she sent the first one, but I listened to it over and over for years.
After my sister came along, Grandma made another tape for both of us (along with a comedy routine from my grandpa and aunt), and we listened to that one too, somehow not wearing either tape out.
Which was great because this past year, my mom had them converted from tapes to MP3s. She gave them to us for Christmas, and they were such a special gift since my sister and I have kids who are the same age as we were when we listened to those tapes.
One great gift turns into another great gift!
So now my kids listen to Grandma’s stories. And they have their favorites, just like I did. Thanks, Mom and Grandma!
What about you? What are some special gifts you’ve given or received?
Comments
5 Responses to “Those Memorable Gifts”
I love the idea of tapes! My wheels are turning.
My dad once gave me a side by side picture of the two of us–one when I was a baby and he was holding me, and one when I was grown with him holding me. Best present I ever received.
A year or so ago, I recorded about four hours worth of oral history from my parents. They lived through the Depression, World War II, farming with mules hitched to plows, etc. So this is pretty amazing stuff. I recorded it on mini cassette tape, but I have promised myself to figure out how to transfer it to digital and make CD’s for all my family. Thanks for the reminder. Got to get to work on that!
Before my grandmother passed away she “willed” something of hers or my grandfathers to everyone of the granchildren in our family (all 27 of us). I received a really ornate music box that plays Amazing Grace. I really love it and it always reminds me of her.
My G’ma and G’pa went to live with family a couple of years ago as they needed to be with someone who could help them with their care. Because of this they were giving some of their things away. Imagine my surprise when G’pa said that I was to take the heirloom (80 yr old), chiming, grandfather mantle clock. He said that I had admired it on a previous visit and he wanted me to have it. My G’ma died a couple of days after they moved. It’s special to know that I now have something that once graced her home.
Very cool gifts, everyone!
Georgiana, check out digital voice recorders. I think you can get them for $30-$40 minimum.
And Robin, my mom hired a computer techie at her church to turn the tapes into mp3s.