This past weekend we had the pleasure of celebrating my Mother In Law’s 95th Birthday. The Celebration was, in essence, a Family Reunion as is possible in this Day and Age. Among the group, there was one binding experience and memory that was held close by the group: a Family Home where the children grew up and their children visited for many years. A Happy Place where Family Bonds were ingrained with happy memories.
The Dad had named the home 5 Fences because the property did have 5 different Fences. He also built Birdhouses and was able to get the address to be known as 5 Fences, with a Birdhouse as the address marker. Sadly, there came a day after the Parents were gone that the house had to be sold. A Scrapbook was created with a drawing on the front of the Scrapbook of the address marker.
My caring and considerate Husband asked me if I could make a Charm from the drawing that could be given at the Celebration. A Necklace for his Mom, a Necklace for her Sister and Charms for all the Cousins.
Why, YES, that can be done.
The Necklace was put inside a Potholder (she makes Potholders) from Cracker Barrell, inside a bag. When presented, there was a small speech while she was opening her Gifts……when she got to the Necklace, there was a brief silence of recognition. Then my husband gave her the box for her Sister. And THEN he gave all the Cousins their Charms.
I was told by another “Outlaw” that he had never witnessed such a sweeping group reaction to being included in and presented with the same Charm – a tangible Memory that will always be with them.
It was pretty amazing.
To create your own Family Reunion Memory Medallions, please visit this page:
Patricia Riley Metalsmith 