It's The Little Things That Are The Truly Magnificent Gifts

When I look at magazines to dream about how I would like my home to look, I always head for the contemporary. The clean, sleek look that makes me feel sophisticated and oh so worldly.  Oh, how I love to dream of owning one of those $$$ designer sofas and walk into a room of style and simplicity. So, I invite you to take a look at the picture of my mantle. (pictures taken with my 30D Canon)

Sleek? No! Contemporary? No! The thing is that everything on that mantle has meaning and when people walk in my house they always linger and look and ask. It's a picture into the soul of this home.

There are snapshots all over it, never framed because then they would never get up there. Little Jack of County Cork, Ireland, always asks his Aunt Mary if the picture of him with his friend Ron is still displayed there. I have my Lucy box from my friend Irene filled with cards from my sixtieth birthday. A picture of my son and his best high school friends at the first wedding of the group, bird houses... everything on that mantle is a special gift to us.

Which brings up the subject of gifts and how wonderful they make you feel. When I open my pencil drawer in my office, the first thing I see is the fountain pen that my son gave me. It fills my heart every time. I think of my surprise when I opened it and the awe that this little boy was becoming such a thoughtful person. I open my purse to add lipstick and pull out the vintage mirror given to me by my friend Jeanne and always send her a smile by wire. I look at the dusty piggy bank on my dresser and think of Phyllis who gave this to our family so that we could all start a fund towards a 30D Canon for me.  

This little blog has brought tears to my eyes as I write it.  Tears  - that I am unable, because of space, to tell you about all of the gifts that I have around my house that remind me of my friends and family.  Tears of joy - that I have such great memories and friends and family. Conjured tears - that I will never have a contemporary decor in my house.

It makes me want to go the University City Loop and shop all day buying special gifts for the people I love.

But here is the best part, my son's girl friend writes with a fountain pen.