A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

A Favorite Thing Saturday


The year was 1944 and a little girl crawled out of bed and came into the kitchen in her flannel pajamas. The house was cold and she could hear her mother tending the coal furnace, in the basement. These had been hard years for the little girl and her Mother. Her Dad was in Germany, fighting in the 2nd world war. It was so hard on him too...being away from his family and worrying about them. The Mother had oatmeal cooking on the stove and they would have toast. The little girl hoped that it wasn't burnt like the day before. The toaster was hard to deal with...you had to keep opening the sides to look at it so that it wouldn't burn. No pop up toaster in those days. Sugar was rationed, so they had their oatmeal without. After eating breakfast, the little girl dressed, standing over the big grate on the kitchen floor. The heat felt good on her legs as she dressed. In those days little girls didn't wear pants to school...they went "bare legged" to school. She dressed in a corduroy jumper and brown tie shoes. Today, she would have curls...because pictures would be taken at school. Usually she wore pigtails....but not today. Her Mother turned on the stove burner and set a chair next to the stove. She had a gadget called a curling iron that she would place in the flame to heat. Then she would take the iron and some of the little girl's hair and turn it...hold it for a few seconds...and let go. There would be a sausage type curl. She gave the little girl her mirror, so she could watch her Mother curl her hair. Occasionally, her Mom would leave the iron on her hair too long and there would be a burning hair smell. The little girl sat swinging her legs and watching in the mirror. Pretty soon her head was covered in curls. Then her mother would comb it out. Ouch! That hurt! Don't pull it so tight! Ouch! was heard over and over. Looking in the mirror she could see that it was finished. Now she could have her picture taken, and one would be sent to her Dad. This little girl was me. The mirror is one of the things that I have had since my Mother's death. When I saw it in the box...I told my Dad, "I would like to have that...I have so many memories of having my hair curled and watching in this mirror." He listened to the story and then gave it to me. It has a special place on my dresser. I still use it everyday, but not to watch my hair being curled. It's one of my favorite things.



I'm joining with Claudia http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/ for A Favorite Thing Saturday. Please join us and visit Claudia's blog to read about so many interesting favorites

Balisha.

14 comments:

Claudia said...

Ah, Balisha, what a wonderful story! You've painted a beautiful picture of you and your mother - creating each and every curl for your school pictures.

I have a mirror somewhat like yours that was my grandmother's. It's in our bathroom.

Thanks so much for joining in this week!

xo
Claudia

Diane said...

What a nice story! Things certainly have changed, haven't they? Glad you have the mirror.

Sarah ~ Magnolias Attic said...

What a great story! I remember a curling iron like yours that had to be heated on the stove. I have curly hair, but I remember that curling iron -- maybe to tame my curls!! Lovely that you have the mirror!

Kristin_Texas said...

I loved, loved L-O-V-E-D reading this. You captured a sweet childhood memory so perfectly. I felt like I was there. You're a wonderful writer.

Kristin

From the Kitchen said...

I particularly loved your story because I have a very similar mirror from my grandmother and can imagine how it might have been used. She also had a toaster that was very finicky. The doors opened down and one had to keep checking for just the right "color". Sweet memories.

Best,
Bonnie

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a lovely word picture you paint! I enjoyed this memory of your special thing and it even brought a little tear to my eye. Sweet that you have that mirror and so many memories of your Mother! Hugs, Linda

debra said...

oh my goodness...what a beautiful and touching story! I loved it...
AND by the time you got to the burning part it reminded me of when Jo was doing Meg's hair in Little Women!

You are a lovely and talented writer! I look forward to reading more / I am bookmarking this site to come back to

Balisha said...

To kristin, Bonnie,Linda,and Debra...
Thankyou so much for reading.I love blogging and now I love writing. I just sit and the words come to me. The stories that I tell are so familiar to many.. many people. We older bloggers grew up during a difficult time and being of a certain age...we have so much to tell. I am full of stories.This Favorite Thing Saturday is really special to me...I love reading all of your posts on your favorite things. Thanks for reading again.
Balisha

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Awww! What a treasure to have. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks for stopping by and nice comment. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Balisha said...

I accidentally deleted my comment to Claudia, Diane and Sarah. I just wanted to thank you also for coming here to read my post. I really appreciate comments...they make my day. I have enjoyed reading all your stories too.To Claudia...thanks for hosting this wonderful way of sharing our favorite things.
Balisha

Barbara said...

Such a beautiful heart felt and heart rending account of your early life.

Geneva said...

What a beautiful post ... I can see why that little mirror would be one of your favorite things! Precious Memory!

Balisha said...

Hello Barbara and Geneva,
I am so happy to have the mirror. It brings back so many memories. Even of my wedding day, when I used it in my bedroom.
Thanks for coming for a visit.
Balisha

Sue said...

Isn't it amazing what we have as our fondest memories? Yours was a sweet story about your mother. Glad you have such nice momento. :-)