Monday, July 18, 2011

~BECAUSE I HAVE TO BLESS ME~

~Adrienne and Momma~
Easter Sunday 1987

Back in the late eighties, right around the time this picture was taken of my precious daughter, Adrienne, she began to say the most delightfully sweet things.  She was not quite three years old and her big brother, Brandon, generally did most of the talking for her back then (boy has THAT changed!).  So, when she did finally start to speak we were always excited and more than eager to listen...  She had the tiniest of lisps and the loveliest way of chattering away about, well, nothing everything...  :)
 
 ~HANDMADE LACES~

One day after experiencing a wee little 'sneezing fit' I noticed my girl would always follow up her 'kerchooooos' with the statement

"Momma...I have to bless me!"
~INCREDIBLE NEEDLEWORK~

No matter how many times I tried to explain she was misunderstanding the sentiment "Bless You" after sneezing she just didn't seem to get it.  One day I finally just let it go.  Amazingly the expression somehow found it's way into the heart of my family and today it lives on...
 
 ~FABULOUS TRIM~

As a result a little life-lesson about giving was born which helped my children learn early on that if they did something for someone else in love the side benefit was they had a chance to bless themselves as well.
 ~FEMININE PILLOW SLIP~
~ROMANTIC and FLIRTY EDGING~ 

Today I was reminded once again by a faithful, loving friend that blessing others is most certainly what life is all about.  
 ~GORGEOUS CROCHET~ 

I've never met my friend, Francy in person.  She lives far away from me down south and I've known her since my early eBay selling days...about nine years now or so.
~LOVELY TATTED LACE~

We've formed a lasting friendship and I love her more than I can say.  She's nearly old enough to be my Momma and I can talk with her just like I was her daughter.

I'm so proud and blessed to call her friend.
 ~CAMISOLE TOP~

A few days ago Miss Francy emailed me to let me know she was sending a package of trims (and things) my way and today our trusty Mr. Postman delivered a big ol' box to my front door...
 ~VINTAGE CROCHET HOOKS~
~OLD PINK THIMBLE~

I was totally unprepared for what the box held.  Vintage laces and trims, crochet hooks, buttons, pillow slips and doilies were neatly tucked inside.  All the goodies were sent to both help me with my little business and to allow vintage laces, trims and edgings to live on and on...

I thought about the generosity of such a very special gift for quite a long spell...

(I'm sad to say I rarely give the BEST I have...) :(
 
~Vintage Buttons~

  Dear Francy-Girl

I want you to know that today I whispered a prayer of gratefulness for you.  You are an amazing, giving woman and I'm so taken with your benevolent, caring spirit.  My hope today is that by blessing me the blessings will return to you a hundred fold.

I adore you, girl!  Thank you...

Love~Rebecca
~~*~~

Tonight my now grown-up Adrie-Girl is coming over and we (along with my Miss K) are taking our recently widowed neighbor homemade soup, fresh-baked bread and strawberry jam for dinner...

Wanna know why?

"Because I have to bless me!"

Love to you as you share your best...

30 comments:

Christine said...

I love this post. It tweeked my heart!

Jenna said...

That was so beautiful:o) What a lovely friend and so thoughtful to send such pretties, your both so blessed to know each other. Have a nice evening.... hugs,Jennifer

Mona Kay Gorman said...

I swear, I have a picture around that same time, with the same hair style, and similar dress :), also holding my daughter! Seems like sooooo long ago...

Julie Marie said...

Oh Rebecca, this is my most favorite post ever!!!... and not just because of the gorgeous lace and trims, but the meaning behind it all... Francy sounds delightful and so generous and giving... not only of her vintage treasures but of herself as well... I am going to "adopt" your little phrase if you don't mind... I love it... YOU bless me too... and how dear of you to take your neighbor homemade soup, bread and jam... xoxo Julie Marie

Jocelyne said...

What a wonderful post. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing - "I have to bless me" will be something that I remember now too.

Chatty Crone said...

Well I got blessed by you!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet, sweet story! Thanks for sharing! We can never out give the Lord. He does bless us tremendously when we reach out to others. Blessings to you and your family. Love, Lisa B.

Linda said...

What an adorable thing for your little gal to say..."I have to bless me!"

Kids do say the cutest things! I love their innocence.

It is nice that you have a dear friend who loves you enough to send you such a special gift of love. Things she knew you would enjoy so much. A Kindred Spirit!

I love it that you passed God's love to your neighbor by bringing her those comfort foods!

You are such a sweet servant of the Lord...

Love, Linda

NanaDiana said...

Well,I gotta bless me too! Loved this post-and what a wonderful friend you have to bless you with so many gorgeous bits and pieces! Great post~ xo Diana

Kim B said...

So sweet of your friend, lovely items. Hopeyou have a lovely day, Hugs, Kim

Unknown said...

Precious story and a wonderful friendship with "blessings" Thanx for sharing your story, Tiff

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

How sweet is that...and you were blessed! I might have told you this before, but my daughter used to tell my son...be careful by momma's things, they are glassable!

Rose Petal Hollow said...

What a beautiful post. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.
MaryAnn

Theresa said...

So true dear Rebecca, some of the greatest blessing are when you bless someone else! I have to bless me too:) Cute saying and I adore it! Great gift from your sweet friend!

HUGS and blessings!

Unknown said...

What lovely, wonderful old lace! What a gift Francy is to you.

Jeannie B. said...

What a sweet reminder that the blessings you give to others are really a blessing shared.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Love this story and the sentiment. It's true we receive the blessing when we give!
When we were children we would take turns saying Grace at meals, my younger cousin Tim would say "Bless Tim,...begin !" Now I say it (after the main blessing) in his memory.
(())

Anonymous said...

Becky--
A sweet,sweet post. You are truly Blessed.
Love you-- Mom

A Rose Without A Thorn said...

I am blessing you also.....

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

As always, My Sweet Rebecca, your post has touched my heart...

xoxoxo
Spencer

Anonymous said...

Ooh, Adrienne your girl is so, so CUTE! I love that photo! And you are truly blessed to have such a generous and sweet friend....Thanks for sharing this story.

Love to you too
Maria B

Tina said...

What a wonderful post Rebecca and such an awesome gift to receive. I love that old lace and crochet pieces. Everything is so pretty.
Have a beautiful day
xo Tina

KatyDidStitches said...

This is a lovely post, Rebecca. I've read Francy's comments here...and it's easy to see what a wonderful person she is.

My SIL is visiting...one of the kindest, most giving people I know. She's generous to a fault...and it's caused her a tremendous amount of heartache in her life. I'm not a giver by nature...and yet she constantly says, "You bless me." What does she see in me?

She's going back to Massachusetts late this evening...and I'm going to think of something nice to do for her before she leaves. I want to bless her...and I want to bless me.

Kathy

Unknown said...

as always, you bless me so much! What a delightful post and such a lovely reminder how when we bless others, those blessings come back to us.

Rebecca said...

Hi Rebecca
Such a lovely tradition the Lord has given you through your daughter... I love all that lace! Really it is all good stuff...
Thank you so much for your kind comment - you are always so encouraging and loving.
Many blessings to you today
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Dearest Rebecca...I am so thrilled you liked all of the little bits and pieces of handwork of my grandmother and aunts from an era long, long ago. I hoped they might be of some use to you, even if for just having in your "stash" of antique handwork. Where my mother got the pink thimble is a mystery to me, but I knew YOU had to have it!!!
I know all of these sweet relatives of mine are smiling to know their beautiful work is now in the home of an equally talented and creative young woman. You were THE one I knew I had to give these to!!!!!!
Love you bunches, Francy
You bless me by calling me FRIEND..

Kathy said...

What a lovely post! It brought a tear to my eye. Such a lovely sentiment "bless me". Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I will definitely be back! Your blog is filled with beauty. My father is recently widowed and your gesture to your neighbour will be felt not only by them but for all those in their life as well. Bless you!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Rebecca,
what a beautiful story!!
What stunning trims your dear friend sent to you!! How nice of her to do that.
And what a wonderful gesture your family is making taking food to your widowed neighbor. Also what a great lesson Miss K will be learning by your lovely example of kindness and compassion.
You are paying it forward......

Hugs,
Debbie

karen said...

Great post. You are a blessing . You bless us daily. You have to meet your long distance friend. That would be so wonderful. My son would talk my head off but at school or at any big gathering he would not say a word to anyone. He was so shy. One day his teacher was so proud of him she told me Charlie got in trouble for talking today. I was proud too. LOL!!!!

Linda Carole Bloom said...

Oh Rebecca, I heart that needlework!!!!!
Love, Linda

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