Monday, January 07, 2013

Small people

 
This will be of little interest to anyone else (but hey, after much grinding of teeth and assistance from Mr Life, I've managed to thwart Blogger's evil machinations and post pictures) - but this is something I found among the study archives and, after photographing it, am stalwartly throwing it away because I Can't Keep Everything The Children Ever Made. Also it takes up a lot of room and is somewhat falling to bits. So I'm recording it for posterity, or whatever passes for posterity in the world of Blog or digital photos. I apologise for the self-indulgence of this post.
 
This is the packaging for a Mother's Day present from Daughter 2 in 1993, when she was 11 and a half. The pink bits are added by me, today, to hide my name, which isn't really Isabelle. Or at least, Isabelle is my middle name.
 
 
The photos aren't very good but it's in the form of a home-made book entitled, "The Reasons Why [Isabelle] should not be "the best mum in the world". Yes, not a very good use of inverted commas but she was only 11.
 
 
And here's the title page. Same title. Same inverted commas.
 
 
On the next page, the first sticky note is (purportedly) dated the year of Daughter 2's birth and says, Publication postponed. Researchers could find no reasons. Then, dated 1993 (the actual year she made this), it says Publication cancelled. The researchers could only find one reason. The second sticky note says, She's too good to be true! Note the correct apostrophe.
 
 
And she signs her (nick)name: Scooshie Boots. (Yes, and I criticise people who call their children Carver.) Another good apostrophe in Mother's.
 
 
Keep turning... it says...
 
 
And then the - surprise, surprise - hollow book contained a present, though I forget what it was.
 
And you all thought that you were the best mum in the world (if you're a mum. Otherwise you might have thought that you had the best mum in the world). Sorry to disappoint you. It was I. (Not actually sure about that.)
 
Anyway, I've kept it all these years and it's got more and more bashed so in order that the children don't have to weep over it when they find it after I'm dead, I think I should send it on its way now. (Three correct uses of the apostrophe in this paragraph and one example of writing its rather than it's - again correct.)
 
It brings a tear to my maternal eye, though. It must have been the result of much labour, especially as she is a bit dyslexic and there are NO spelling mistakes. I think Daughter 1 must have been the spelling advisor.
 
Grandson is still very unwell. He's had this feverish cold for nine days now. However, surely tomorrow will see him turn the corner? How I love him. And her. And them all.

12 comments:

  1. Oh Isabelle. I think the damp autumn into mild, damp winter has been very unhealthy for UK children and all their carers. We have a little light at the end of our lurgy tunnel this week. Poor boy. I knew I wasn't the best mother in the world, so am more than thrilled to discover her true-ish identity.

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  2. Very impressed by the apostrophes. Sorry about the illness in your family. I went back to school today and heard so many stories of people's Christmases being dominated by colds, flu and noroviruses. Felt quite fortunate.

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  3. Truly deserved !

    Poor little Grandson ... this winter has been very kind to bugs and not at all good for people . I hope he perks up soon ... we need to see that lovely smile again .

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  4. Truly deserved !

    Poor little Grandson ... this winter has been very kind to bugs and not at all good for people . I hope he perks up soon ... we need to see that lovely smile again .

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  5. I am very impressed by the originality and execution of this Mother's Day book. I can quite see why you hung on to it. Poor grandson and all those caring for him.

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  6. It is difficult to let go of such special gifts, but photographing them is a great way to keep the memory at hand.

    And may you all have good health, and soon!

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  7. sniff ... tear ... sniff ... i would have kept it, too!

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  8. Well, I was pretty sure you were the best mother in the world, and now we have it confirmed -- from one who would truly be in the know LOL.

    I admire your ability to do a little cleaning out -- I've been hanging on to stuff that really must go too. I work with a girl the age of my oldest and she frequently bemoans the fact that her mother tries to give her stuff from her childhood. It's made me realize that some children (and probably, surely mine) don't care about all that "stuff" -- it's only really meaningful to us mothers. Therefore, I should start purging. Your idea to take photos of them is wonderful!

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  9. How sweet, when going through my Mother's things i found some things I'd made for her for Mother's Day through the years.
    Hope your Grandson gets better soon, I miss his sunny smiles.

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  10. It’s good to receive such thorough feedback on my past apostrophes! But yes, please do throw it away. I’m sure I didn’t imagine then that it would still be around nearly 20 years later and I’m pretty sure that the Copydex has made it go quite yellow and disgusting-looking by now. Still haven’t come up with any reasons! D2

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  11. Well done Isabelle on being so sensible.....I have mountains of soppy stuff that I will get rid of....one day......maybe.......

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  12. That is the sweetest gift-I love it!

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