Every Mom has a set right? I am the proud owner of my Mom's old "good" dishes. Dishes that she worked very hard to get so many years ago. Every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas, we used these dishes at our home. When Mom got new "good" dishes, these came to me. My kids often ask the question - "where did they come from?" and comment on how pretty they are. I am very proud to tell them that they were painstakingly collected, piece by piece, week after week, at the local grocery until the set was complete - making sure not to miss an item; plates, bowls, cups, saucers, dessert plates, platters, serving bowls, ... you get the idea. 
These dishes mean a lot to me - they somehow signify the will of a woman who maybe couldn't get a new full "SET" of dishes but could certainly afford a few bucks a week to collect them. But can you imagine the time it took? THAT means something. These dishes remind me of family holidays, all of us kids around the table for a fantastic dinner, and years later coming back with our own families and gathering around the same table and using the same "good dishes". Now, my kids will remember the story and recall holidays around the table using them, while watching out for the plate that has a chip on the bottom, being careful not to use the cup that has the crack, and the question that's asked every year... "What ever happened to the gravy boat?"
I have my great grandmother Armenita Chapins "good dishes" given to me by my mother. The gold trim on these dishes is beautiful and abundant. More than most modren day china. Of course they can not go in the microwave or dishwasher.....I cherish them...
ReplyDeleteReading your post reminded me of the dishes my mum still uses this very day, dishes which were her wedding gift which are now 50 years old. I am not sure that dishes we buy today will ever last that long
ReplyDeleteCindy, what memories these dishes bring back --- I too collected a set or so of dishes every week at the grocery store --- and delighted when they would have a special offiering where you could pick up several items or a whole place setting at a time --- otherwise it would have taken forevvvverrrr to get a full set. Thanks for the memory reminder.
ReplyDeleteCindy - love your post on these dishes. Like Joan (above) I too collected dishes at the stores but alas I did not keep them (who'd of thought they someday be heirlooms?)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. It seems like we are losing this kind of sense of tradition; it's always nice to hear a story like this.
ReplyDeleteCindy, you also struck a chord with me and your dishes story. I have my grandmother's good dishes, which my Mom used for all the holiday celebrations. When they first came into my possession, I used them, but now that I am working again, and the dishes have to be hand washed, I have not used them the past two years.
ReplyDeleteMy mother also collected dishes week after week at the store. They resembled these a great deal (delicate gold pattern) but, I think, were not quite the same. I don't even know what happened to them.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you for coming by and sharing your thoughts and memories. It sounds as if many Moms collected dishes one piece at a time, painstakingly gathering each item with love. Thats what I see when I look at these dishes and it's wonderful to know the story and share it with the future generation.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was married in 1925, and my mother in 1958. For a wedding gift Grammy gave Mum a matching set to her own china. So now Mum has a double set of everything! Whoever inherits this won't have to worry about cracking the gravy boat! I love the old china. The dishes were small, the tea cups teeny and dainty. It just makes you want to use your best manners every time you touch it!
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