Sep 19Liked by Deborah Way, Tamara MC, Ph.D. 💖🦄🌈🌍🦋🦄 🌵🍭🛼
What a wonderful story. In today's world, we seem to have lost the resilience and kindness that our predecessors maintained despite the obstacles they faced and conquered. Your grandmother must have been a delight.
Sep 19Liked by Deborah Way, Tamara MC, Ph.D. 💖🦄🌈🌍🦋🦄 🌵🍭🛼
So evocative. Beautiful descriptions, it made me cry. My bubbies were old, old and didn't speak English so I never had that relationship. But my dad's mom worked as a cook in Lithuania. She taught him to cook, and then my Mom, who taught me. My mom also grated the potatoes by hand on the smallest hole. Thank you for this!
Sep 19Liked by Deborah Way, Tamara MC, Ph.D. 💖🦄🌈🌍🦋🦄 🌵🍭🛼
What a beautiful memory of your bubbe. My mother also said that grating any larger than the tiny star side is hash browns and I agree. I love that she wore sequins. Thank you for sharing.
Sep 19Liked by Deborah Way, Tamara MC, Ph.D. 💖🦄🌈🌍🦋🦄 🌵🍭🛼
What a sweet tribute. I love everything about her, but I think I really love that she added sequins to all the clothes she made. She bedazzled herself! Lovely. ♥
Dear Cindy, I love this idea that she bedazzled herself, which is absolutely true, and I have followed in her sequin obsession. My favorite item is my bedazzler!
Sep 19Liked by Tamara MC, Ph.D. 💖🦄🌈🌍🦋🦄 🌵🍭🛼, Deborah Way
Oh I loved this! "...where I grew up enveloped by her immense, contagious, all-engulfing love." That reflects so brilliantly in the picture you've shared of your grandmother. Would you mind how writing about her was like for you? I've been meaning to write for The Keepthings about my strong, loving grandmother who passed away over two decades ago and I just don't know why can't I bring myself to write it down - despite writing it a 1000 times in my head!
Dear Sanobar, I think the writing prompt is very helpful since we are writing about a specific object and looking at that item through our loved one. What do you have from your grandmother, and what is the story behind that? How does the object connect you to her? Why is it special to you? What memories do you have? I would suggest taking it out of your head and putting it down on paper. Write a first draft and don't worry about anything other than getting down the story. You can always revise later. If writing a first draft feels difficult, set a timer. Set a timer for 20 minutes and get down as much as you can. Don't stop writing during that time. If you do, just write, "I don't know what to write now." Writing is magical, and you will see the story will come out and come out beautifully! Wishing you the happiest writing! Much love.
Here are the guidelines from The Keepthings website:In straightforward, plainspoken prose, in 600 words or less, tell the story of the object and the person it’s connected to. The goal is to bring that person to life—to help readers know them well enough to appreciate their loss. Don’t worry if you’re not a writer; every Keepthings story gets lots of TLC, and some of the most beautiful stories have come from people who don’t consider themselves writers at all. What matters is that you have a treasured object connecting you to someone who was important in your life; we’re here to help with the rest.
What a beautiful photo of your Bubbe! Thank you for sharing her with us. And now I crave a potato latke! Growing up we called the grater a "grattalora" - Sicilian dialect for grater.
Yes! By including that picture & detail, it’s like you sewed on some sequins just like Bubbe would! I love that it starts with the hard working grater and ends by sliding in some sparkle. She gave you strength, endurance, and joy. Beautiful tribute to her.
A beautiful, heartfelt tribute!
Yes and yes ❤️
Thank you so much, Debbie!
Your grandmother was truly Super Bubbe! How wonderful to have been loved by her.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Nancy-- she truly was Super Bubbe!
What a lovely tribute and special way to keep the kitchen magic alive!
You’re a great reader for this story ❤️
hits home for sure!
Dear Amie, I love this-- the idea of kitchen magic!
What a beautiful dress!
It’s glorious 💓
Awww, she loved her dresses so much and kept them all hanging inside out in her closet.
What a wonderful story. In today's world, we seem to have lost the resilience and kindness that our predecessors maintained despite the obstacles they faced and conquered. Your grandmother must have been a delight.
We definitely need more kindness ❤️
Thank you, Ed! So true-- we are here because of our ancestors and because they were able to conquer obstacles. She truly was the greatest delight.
So evocative. Beautiful descriptions, it made me cry. My bubbies were old, old and didn't speak English so I never had that relationship. But my dad's mom worked as a cook in Lithuania. She taught him to cook, and then my Mom, who taught me. My mom also grated the potatoes by hand on the smallest hole. Thank you for this!
Love takes so many different forms 💓
Dear Char, thank you so much for your message. Thinking of your Bubbies and sending you potato latke love!
Oh my gosh, I adore your grandmother, you, and this story. Thank you so much for sharing her with us.
❤️❤️❤️
Dear Melinda, thank you so much for adoring my grandmother and sharing in her love!
What a beautiful memory of your bubbe. My mother also said that grating any larger than the tiny star side is hash browns and I agree. I love that she wore sequins. Thank you for sharing.
Amazing!
The star side of the grater is where it's at! Thank you so much for your message, Elisa. Sequins made her happy as they make me happy!
What a sweet tribute. I love everything about her, but I think I really love that she added sequins to all the clothes she made. She bedazzled herself! Lovely. ♥
Same 💓
Dear Cindy, I love this idea that she bedazzled herself, which is absolutely true, and I have followed in her sequin obsession. My favorite item is my bedazzler!
Perfect! The bedazzling continues! ♥️
Oh I loved this! "...where I grew up enveloped by her immense, contagious, all-engulfing love." That reflects so brilliantly in the picture you've shared of your grandmother. Would you mind how writing about her was like for you? I've been meaning to write for The Keepthings about my strong, loving grandmother who passed away over two decades ago and I just don't know why can't I bring myself to write it down - despite writing it a 1000 times in my head!
Dear Sanobar, I think the writing prompt is very helpful since we are writing about a specific object and looking at that item through our loved one. What do you have from your grandmother, and what is the story behind that? How does the object connect you to her? Why is it special to you? What memories do you have? I would suggest taking it out of your head and putting it down on paper. Write a first draft and don't worry about anything other than getting down the story. You can always revise later. If writing a first draft feels difficult, set a timer. Set a timer for 20 minutes and get down as much as you can. Don't stop writing during that time. If you do, just write, "I don't know what to write now." Writing is magical, and you will see the story will come out and come out beautifully! Wishing you the happiest writing! Much love.
Here are the guidelines from The Keepthings website:In straightforward, plainspoken prose, in 600 words or less, tell the story of the object and the person it’s connected to. The goal is to bring that person to life—to help readers know them well enough to appreciate their loss. Don’t worry if you’re not a writer; every Keepthings story gets lots of TLC, and some of the most beautiful stories have come from people who don’t consider themselves writers at all. What matters is that you have a treasured object connecting you to someone who was important in your life; we’re here to help with the rest.
Oh Tamara, this is such a thoughtful, heartfelt response. And I promise I will put it to good use. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I’m so excited for you!
I hope you get there, Sanobar 💓
Soon (ish) :)
What a beautiful photo of your Bubbe! Thank you for sharing her with us. And now I crave a potato latke! Growing up we called the grater a "grattalora" - Sicilian dialect for grater.
Doreen, I LOVE grattalora! Thank you so much for caring for Super Bubbe!
I love this. Love the sequins too!
Awww, thank you, Jen! I'm just like my Bubbe and all about the bling!
Yes! By including that picture & detail, it’s like you sewed on some sequins just like Bubbe would! I love that it starts with the hard working grater and ends by sliding in some sparkle. She gave you strength, endurance, and joy. Beautiful tribute to her.
The love in this piece is so palpable. It made my day better to read it.
Dear Zoe, your message makes me so happy! Thank you!!!