27 Comments
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Eve Van Dyke's avatar

beautiful!

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Diane Hogsta's avatar

I love these memories of your mother and her resourcefulness. A lovely story❤️

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

Thank you so much Diane!

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

Thank you, Diane! I love The Keepthings (free on Substack, or in Instagram) - it’s a beautifully curated site full of essays by writers who cherish the things their loved ones leave behind! Thank you for reading!

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Jackie Wollman's avatar

Thank you Betty-Jo! Wonderful evocative writing. “Comfort jewelry” is such an apt phrase.

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

Thank you Jackie!

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

This was so touching. I'm so glad you were able to hang on to some of her jewelry and I'm so sorry about your devastating losses in the fire.

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

Thank you, your comment means so much!

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Sabrina's avatar

A great telling of your magnificent mom—although I suspect she might prefer Mother. Love her style and yours~that jewelry may provide the strength needed for rebuilding your beautiful home💖

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

Thank you for your lovely message, Sabrina, and yes she preferred Mother!

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Stephanie Weaver's avatar

This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing her. So so sorry for the loss of your home.

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Linda's Reflections's avatar

Some comfort jewelry. Lovely story.

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megan's avatar

i love all of the description here—what an evocative portrait of your mother. ❤️

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Kathryn Sollmann's avatar

What an excellent story. I’m so sorry you lost your home in the fires and so glad you were wearing your mother’s jewelry. The fires did not destroy the lasting sense of home your mother created and you will continually create for yourself…

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Andrea Bostick's avatar

Beautiful story! I feel I know this strong, resourceful, Zha Zha Gabor emulating woman now. Those treasures are touchstones to memories of the past. Thank you for sharing. ❤️

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Your piece about your lovely mother, her jewelry, the surprise dungarees of old, and your ability to paint a resplendent picture of her through words even after the loss and trauma of the fires has left me feeling comforted. Comforted by your shared love, the repurposed jewelry, the chipped beef on toast, and your memories that are fire proof and full of vitality. Thank you.

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

“Fire proof memories”! Oh Ginevra, I love this, thank you! And I love your memorable piece “The Mennen’s” so much @thekeepthings

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thank you. Thekeepthings truly helps us to remember our loved ones, hone our writing skills, and enjoy each other’s deepest love.

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Char Breshgold's avatar

Beautiful and heartbreaking that you had that devastating loss. My parents were of that generation too- so relatable. And yes to turning into our mothers in ways we never thought possible. Thank you. 🙏🏼

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Opposite of Nihilism's avatar

This is lovely, Betty-Jo!

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Betty-Jo Tilley's avatar

Thank you! I love every essay in Oppisite of Nihilism!

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Jan Burns's avatar

Comfort jewelry! I love that! What a beautiful piece of writing and memory too.

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purl2.knit1's avatar

What a wonderful and honest view of your Mom. Sharing your memories of her touched me and your loss due to the fires wrenched my heart. I know that people say "those ae only things" but they still have meaning. I a sure that you, like your Mom, will persevere.

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Sharon Senkiew's avatar

Thank you for sharing your mother with us. She truly made the best of everything! I’m glad you were wearing your jewelry on the day of the devastating fire.

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