We have a family reunion coming up next week. For some time now I've been thinking of the old nursery and needing to find more room. The youngest "babies" are now five years old, and the beautiful oak crib has fulfilled its reason for being.
For a while now it's been the dolly space, the domain of stuffed rabbits and bears, and a landing for stray pillows.
I was already a grandmother when our youngest left home. So we freshened up the paint and got nursery furniture for the vacant room. The only thing we kept were the flourescent stars that my son had left on the ceiling overhead.
We dubbed the room "the nursery," and many times little visitors have gazed up at the stars after lights out to begin their starry dreams. But yesterday the little oak baby bed went to a new home. . . .
I got busy rearranging and changing things up. It's funny how suddenly the same four walls can feel so different!
Most of the mementos in this space are not from my own love-lings. They are merely ceremonial. A nod to the joys of mothering. I love the way these old worn white leather baby shoes are in vintage fashion these days, for instance.
A few remnants of the old nursery will stay here for a little time more. (A wee seersucker pinny, pink rick-rack on handkerchief linen, a little pearl button.)
But the girls want a dressing screen. And I'm thinking of a wide gilt mantel mirror hanging on the wall over the bed, with ladylike vintage things hanging on hooks underneath. An elegant Frenchy style for the girls to grow into. . . .
There will be new carpet, new furniture, new paint. After all of this time, a few of the stars on the ceiling fall off now and then. But we will leave them still faintly glowing overhead for dreams. . . .
So nice that you stopped by!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jacqueline
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