Today, was my grandmother’s birthday. She was a very special woman. Loving and strong, loyal and forgiving, determined and welcoming. There was always room for another at her big farm table, and there was no obstacle placed before her that she did not overcome. Her nick name to her sisters was “Love.” Zilpah Frisbee Lassiter – thank you for your lessons and your love. I’m glad you were my Mom’s Mother – and my Grandmommy.
This doll in the photograph is a special gift she gave me when I was 6 years old for Christmas. I thought I had lost the letter that she wrote for me some years ago and have been very sad about that. But when I got her out of the box and began arranging her for this memory photo – I found it! I had tucked it inside her slips and it had blended in unnoticed with her clothing some 13 years ago when we were packing to move to our current home. It was such a special gift to me to read it again today! The doll has always meant a great deal to me, but her letter has meant even more. Here is what she wrote:
December 25, 1965
I am giving you this because you are a very special little girl, my first granddaughter. You won’t think it is very pretty, but it is very old and it was very dear to a little girl 150 years ago, and the clothes were lovingly and carefully made by hand. It is not a play doll, but a treasure doll. One that you will keep carefully and someday give it to your own little girl. I know and trust that you will care for her as she has been cared for this many years.
Well, thank you for sharing this with us. You can trust us - we won't pick the doll up and drop it! Great to have memories like this. They live on in our lives!
Such a lovely tribute to your grandmother ! I got all teary when I read your emotional story . I miss my grandma too. I planted the eucalypt I have been posting photos of over the past 3 days in memory of her. I am so happy for you that you found her letter again. Little things like that keep the memory alive.
Say my Happy birthday wish also to your grandmother....Namaste (Goodbye) .......Really she is great for you.....love him and respect him.....beautiful birthday wish and gift to her....
A true treasure of a gift! How beautiful the doll is and the letter is priceless! You are so lucky to have a grandmother who loved you so much .... what a beautiful memory.
Oh wow. I am tearing up reading your post. This is such a meaningful photo. Those are the best kind. My grand mother lived to be 103.5! And I wish now I had asked her to talk more about her life because I'd love to hear all that history. But it was always like when we got to her house, our family was so huge, and all the adults would talk and all that and "we kids" would run play. I was my grandmother's last grand child...so that is another reason I did not chat with her enough. But in a way, that helped, as I was the last one so I always slept with her on visits until I was too big. Grandmothers are special people. I miss mine.
Awww, that is so lovely. I have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. What a wonderful way with words and a perfect gift she gave you. A lovely tribute photograph for her xx
Oh my this has most certainly brought tears to my eyes... but in a nice way!
This is such a wonderful keepsake and much treasured and it was so lovely of you to share it with us.... bless your heart and happy memories ♥
This is such a wonderful keepsake and much treasured and it was so lovely of you to share it with us.... bless your heart and happy memories ♥