I, Katie, had to think a long time if this was OK to put this story on, especially since this site was only up for my mother, Addie Williams, but today is her Birthday, and I think she would appreciate it. It was written for her and my Great Grandmothers honor.
It was my birthday, and not even a special birthday at that. I was 48, and growing older, (and regretting my years that were taking a toll on me.) My mother called and wanted me to come over for my birthday. I did not. I was not feeling well that day. Not just physically, but psychologically. It was just not a real good day for me. Birthday or not. To me it was just another day. To much was going on with my life to answer the call of a Birthday wish. At least that day. That Birthday.
My sister called and told me that I needed to make a special effort to go to Mom's house soon as I could, as the present Mom wanted to give me was a heartfelt one, and one I would treasure. Forever! One that would effect me through my entire life. I agreed to go, and pulled myself out of bed and negative state of mind, and went to my mothers house. I agreed, and really wanted to go anyway, and so pushed the pain aside, physical and mental. I cheerfully walked into her sitting room for my Birthday present. I wanted her to know I was glad to be there, and when I walked into the room, I was glad to be there. She just had away of making you feel that way. Being glad to be in her company, having away of putting smiles on faces. What she gave me that day will never leave me, the looks, the tears, the talks, the everything. The all and all. The wonderful gift, the present. The whole of her.
The present was not wrapped, but in a box, one I am sure she kept it in all the years she cherished it. I opened up the box, and inside was a beautiful gold watch that opened on both sides, and adorned by a beautiful gold chain. The watch on the outside was beautifully detailed with a scene of old times and age. The watch could be opened to view a place to put a picture, as well as engraved words on the watch. As I looked at it, and the beauty of it, and I was confused as I had never seen it before. She saw the confusion in my eyes, and explained it to me. This beautiful watch belonged to my great-great grandmother, whom she was named after, and me as well. Her grandmother was her best friend, her confidant, her soul teacher so many times, and the one she remembers of good and precious childhood memories. (Her own parents were just to busy to pay much attention to her, and without her grandmother, she would have been lost so many times, and so alone.) And she was giving me the most cherished item she owned. The item she saved in a box for so many years, and brought it out to view and look upon and remember when she was lost or lonely. And she gave it to me. I am so honored, so lost with words on this special day, my birthday. How did she know that it would and will affect me all my life? She just knew, I assume. That is why she gave it to me.
I can remember taking the watch out of the box and feeling the heavy weight of it in the palm of my hand. The cool of the gold, and knowing how much it meant to her to give it to me; her most precious treasure. Now mine! How could she part with it? I can remember me asking about it and the tears that feel from my eyes and down to my cheek and into my mouth and tasting the tears. Her tears flowed also, and I am sure they rested with taste on her lips also as she told me the story that I am sure she will want me to tell my children and grandchildren. And I will tell them.
I have not worn this beautiful watch much. I wore it only when I would go see her in the nursing home, or whenever she was near me. I wanted her to know it was important, and that I cherished it so much, as she had and did. I keep it in a safe locked box, with so many stories of her as well that I have not written down as of yet, but am working on.
My entire family was astounded, except for my sister Delia (yet even she was surprised) that our mother would give up her most valued, treasure, precious, memory watch to me. I also am surprised, but understand it more now, and treasure it more each day. Each and every day! I so love it. And I so miss her. It was not a special Birthday, but she made it one. 48 years old of this special gift, this treasure, will never go unforgotten, never un-remembered. Ever!
And now today, not long after my 51st Birthday, I still bring the watch out and hold it in my hand to feel what she might have felt. My memories are not what she felt, as I never knew my great-great grandmother, but I try to remember what my mother was feeling upon handing that box to me. Now, my most precious box. My most precious watch. My heirloom than will hopefully go down in generations forever.
After my mother died, I collected all her most precious things. All her poetry, her knick knacks, collected her what nots, dreams, collections, her butterflies, hummingbirds, her pictures of old and new. And the picture I keep beside me is of three. A picture of her, and her mother, and her grandmother (who adorns in her picture of old times, a beautiful portrait with her wearing that gold watch and sporting that beautiful gold chain.) I wish I had known my great grandmother. I want to feel the special bond that my mother felt with her. Someone I never knew, but was so much a part of me. I feel it when I hold that precious watch. So many times I can feel it when I hold those precious memories my mother felt and gave to me to feel, upon holding that precious watch.
Thank you Mom, for placing such a wonderful feeling and gift of family into the palm of my hand. Thank you for so much more. I am sure you understand, you taught me well. The compassion, the love and cherished memories. Thank you.
Love,
Katie"
Dated Jan. 19th, 2005
. Katie Fairchild
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Included is the poem I wrote for her for her Birthday, with feelings of what she loved. And I love as well.
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Birthday Wishes While Missing You
Dear Mom,
I still miss you so much
And cry more silently now
Yet, in my heart, loud.
And your Birthday is here
Yet, you are not-
But I think of you
And miss you, ever and always.
I can only now cover
You with thoughts
Of my wishes
I would want to give you.
Happy Birthday
Of bright butterflies
Filled with colors
You loved so much.
Wishes of hummingbirds
That you always wanted to touch
And seek their delicacy
You wanted to explore.
Birthday love
Of wishes you gave to me
To notice love
Growth and understanding.
Birthday
A new beginning
With death and rebirth
Thank you for teaching me.
Happy Belated Birthday! I'm so sorry I had missed that day but am glad that I have come to see this today.
This one reminds me of all the very precious things that my mom has given me recently. I guess your mother was just like my mom, she gave that to you because she knows you will value it with great sentiments.
Love this very much. I'm so glad I have come to see this. Wonder picture of a charming lady in the photo. Thank you so much for sharing!
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
It was my birthday, and not even a special birthday at that. I was 48, and growing older, (and regretting my years that were taking a toll on me.) My mother called and wanted me to come over for my birthday. I did not. I was not feeling well that day. Not just physically, but psychologically. It was just not a real good day for me. Birthday or not. To me it was just another day. To much was going on with my life to answer the call of a Birthday wish. At least that day. That Birthday.
