Monday 13 February 2012

The cabinet in Caunes

My grandmother's cabinet is now in Caunes.


Tomorrow is St Valentine's day, which is always a little strange for me. My amazingly beautiful mother died on 14th February.....29 years ago, when I was 28. So, from this year onwards, she has been gone from my life, longer than she was in it. I am always surrounded by her though.... I actually only have to look in the mirror sometimes to see her. I often catch her looking at me in the rear view mirror of my car. But I am also surrounded by things that were hers, or remind me of her.

The china cabinet was my grandmothers.... my mother's mothers. Mum loved the cabinet and it should be hers now, but mum died years before my grandmother, so it skipped a generation and came straight to me.

The egg cups in the bottom of the cabinet were the ones mum made us boiled eggs in when we were children, and the Spanish fans were the ones she used when she got hot on holiday. Most of the other things in the cabinet were either my grandmothers, or have been added to over the years by me.... a few presents, a few touristy acquisitions.

Mostly, the cabinet makes me think of my mother, and her mother......the 2 women who influenced me more than anyone else as I grew up. I hope they would be pleased that the cabinet has made its way to France, and that when I am in Caunes, I am still surrounded by the things that remind me of them.

17 comments:

  1. It's a stunning cabinet in its own right but how much more than just a piece of furniture, with all those memories and precious objects inside. It's lovely. I'm lucky to still have my mum but I treasure the memories of my Granny and her mother too, my Grandma. Boy, she was a plucky one! (We must get it from somewhere, Janice!)
    Axx

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    1. I think my cabinet represents the plucky spirit....it survived 3 months in storage and the trip from Yorkshire to the Langedoc, without a scratch. I was sure panes of glass would get broken or at the very least the ykeys to the doors would go missing...but no, it just turned up, was manhandled from the removal lorry, and took its place in our new home.
      Loved your blog thismorning Annie....a great start to the day. xxx

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  2. What a beautiful and touching post, Janice and what a fantastic piece of Art Deco furniture, made even more special by the memories it contains. On the landing outside my study here in Wales stands my mother's china cabinet with my grandmother's precious Victorian tea-set and other pieces which remind me of them both. This birthday I will reach the age at which my mother died 30 years ago, which is also a thought to ponder.

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  3. Sometimes I am concerned that possessions are too important to me.....but there is something so wonderful about a grandmother's precious Victorian tea-set, or a tea pot that you know was used by a special aunt, that I forgive myself, and hope that my daughter will have the same affection for some of the "things" that will become hers one day. You were young too, when your mother died.....so sad and unfair.....my brother and I have exchanged unfairness messages today. Thanks for your comments Perpetua.

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    1. I was 36, Janice, so not so much older than you, and my poor youngest sister had lost both her parents by the age of 25. Yes, I too hope that some of my precious things will be valued by my children when I'm gone.

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  4. The cabinet is beautiful and filled with such colourful objects! I've just found your blog through Ayak's, oh and by the way, I'm a Janice too!

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  5. Hi Janice....good to meet you . I have only just discovered Ayak's blog....I'm looking forward to reading more. Thanks for your comment.

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  6. Love your cabinet and your story about your Mom and her Mom....it was very touching. You have some lovely pieces and I love that you havr a story and memory behind each one. I'm the same I too have from my Mom, Aunt and Grandma great memories and some pieces that were left to me.
    I saw you on Ayak's Blog and now I'm a follower of yours.

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  7. Hi, thanks for your comments, its good to meet you....it seems that so many of us enjoy treasuring special memories, helped along by special "things". J.

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  8. Hi Janice. After a couple of days of trying to add your blog to my reading list without success, I've finally done it. (And you are reassured by me??)

    I love Art Deco furniture and your cabinet is absolutely beautiful, as are the cherished memories it gives you. I like your blog. Some lovely photos here xxx

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  9. Thanks Ayak....It does seem to be frustratingly complicated sometimes doesn't it ? However, I am finding blogging, and following other people's blogs completely fascinating.....it feels like being part of a world wide community....a great way to make friends.

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  10. I am certain they would be pleased to see cabinet safely in your home, Janice. What a poignant post, and such a remarkable piece of furniture.

    My dad died when I was nineteen. I had the same feeling you have when I turned 38. I'm now 62, however, and hoping I live longer than my mom, who was 66 when she died. They are benchmarks to reach and exceed and give us pause and that twinge of sadness. How wonderful that you have this cabinet and so many family pieces. A legacy of the women you loved so dearly.

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  11. Thanks Penny, you are right about those twinges of sadness...when I passed the 51 mark, which is how old my mother was when she died, in my head I still felt so young, and it made me realise how much life she would miss out on. It takes quite a while for that sadness to be replaced by smiles when you think about someone who dies before what we think of as "their time". Thanks again.

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  12. Hi Janice - Looking forward to reading the rest of your blog. Ayak's been very kind to recommend some good ones today. I've spent most of my time in front of the computer instead of getting on with painting my kitchen

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  13. It can be addictive can't it. I have really enjoyed Ayak's posts.... looking forward to reading yours.

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  14. This is a lovely entry. and that cabinet has always been special to me too, along with all of the other family heirlooms i've been surrounded by my whole life. Love You Mum
    X

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  15. Well, kid.... it becomes your eventually, although I intend that you have to wait a long time for it. Your decision will then be , do you bring it back from France, or leave it there ! xxx

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