Alice Irene, born August 20, 1914 in New City, New York to Thomas Roberts and Ella Blauvelt. Grams grew up on the farm where she was born, the farm that her great grandparents built in 1710 when they arrived in this country. Grams oldest brother, Richard, is 99 and still lives on this land. He is lovingly called just ''Uncle" in this place.
In 2001, I was at the farm where Grams grew up, and Uncle was raking the large yard. I smiled to see the place I had only seen in pictures, and to meet "Uncle" was wonderful! I imagined Grams as a little girl running about, chasing chickens.
As a child every Sunday after church we went to Grams house, and every Sunday we were welcomed into a home where the smell of baked ham and scalloped potatoes wafted thru the air. And nowhere on earth did we ever feel as loved as we did when we were at Grams. She made each of her children and grandchildren feel as if they were the only ones in the world. Alice Irene loved everyone well.
Grams house was just off Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, Ca. about three blocks from where the Rose Parade is every year. Her home was old, and had a built in china hutch. The top portion housed her glassware, but the bottom cupboard was a delight to my sisters and I!
Grams filled this cupboard with old velvet hats with netting, pearls and sequins, patent leather purses, those chunky high heels from the 1930's and 40's and all sorts of pretties to wear. We delighted to go to Grams and play dress up. Gram would serve us Kool Aid from an old aluminum pitcher with matching glasses, and you know, it never tasted quite as cool as it did coming from that pitcher. We clunked around in those high heels, sipping Kool Aid, as if little Princesses in the most loving castle!
This has been a bittersweet week, going thru boxes of photos preparing for Gram's Memorial video, and smiling to remember all these good times. And we listened to a lot of Perry Como too! Grams loved 'Perry Baby'! Lol! Here is by Perry, in honor of Grams.
The photo I chose for my Aunt's sympathy card, is her favorite photo of her mom, and also of mine. Until this week, I had never seen a 'colorized' version of this shot, taken when Gram was about two. She looked this sweet her entire life. And she left a legacy of kindness to all of us.
Alice Irene, born 1914. Alice Irene, walking with Jesus, 2010.
Thanks for looking.
Date: Monday, May 31, 2010 GMT Views: 2822
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Registered: August 7, 2005 Location: Grinders Switch Posts: 654
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 7:16 PM
What a beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing your story. My grandma had the aluminum glasses, too. May your memories always be as fresh for you as they are today. Your aunt is sure to treasure this card and all the love within.
------------------------------ Lisa
If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year ... Today should always be our most wonderful day. - Thomas Dreier
Registered: January 26, 2006 Location: technically, So Cal. But mostly here! Posts: 14518
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 7:37 PM
Your story is a treasure in itself (I hope you share it with your Aunt!) and the card is just INCREDIBLE!! The colors just bring out the tint of your grandmother's cheeks and the lace ties in her beautiful dress!!
Your Aunt will CHERISH this card as a beautiful tribute to her mother!
Registered: March 11, 2008 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 39766
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 7:48 PM
Oh Pat, this is beautiful! What a great tribute to your Gram. That picture is so cool. What great memories you have. I could relate to several of them. Especially the metal pitcher and glasses, which I have a newer version off, but memories just the same. So sorry for your loss, but knowing that she lived a looooong wonderful life is awesome. Love this!....and Perry in the bg a singing! TFS :0)
------------------------------ Cathy B aka: Mutnik ....or is it Nutmeg?! I get so confused!
Smile.......people will wonder what you are up to! :0) Proud Fan Club Member 2010 DT forRubbernecker Stamps My Gallery
Registered: October 6, 2009 Location: Westminster, Colorado Posts: 567
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 7:59 PM
I am working on a photo and scrapbook of my Mothers family from NY and that is why I clicked on your card. I am trying to get all the vintage ideas in order to make it special for her 83rd birthday. I can only hope to make it half as special as your beautiful tribute to your Grandmother. What beautiful memories your special Grandma created for you and your family, and it is so special that you cherish all the gifts that Grandmas can give. God bless you.
Registered: November 6, 2007 Location: Posts: 9915
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 8:26 PM
This card just about takes my breath away...it is so beautiful. Your tribute is so touching, and your memories brought back memories for me too, as you know, with recently losing my Mother I can relate to the going through boxes of photographs, etc...as you said, "bittersweet"
------------------------------ Jill
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Registered: August 24, 2005 Location: northwest Ks. Posts: 1501
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 8:28 PM
Pat, this is a beautiful tribute to your Gram. What a beautiful lady she was, and such wonderful memories you have of her. I am so sorry for your loss, but she is with Jesus, which is where we all want to be someday...... Your card is absolutely gorgeous, and I mean that.......
Ks.stamper
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Registered: February 12, 2007 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 13642
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 8:36 PM
WOW, Pat, this is an awesome loving tribute to your very special grandmother. This is my very favorite card you have ever made. You can feel the love pouring out in each word in your story, the design, stitching and perfect placement of pearls and leaves on this card. This will be treasured by your Aunt forever. It was so surreal to hear you say she lived off Colorado Boulevard because Cathy and I lived off Colorado Boulevard in Colorado....Your story and how you turned out is the perfect reflection of how love in a family can impact a child growing up. This story should be made into a children's book for families to read and use as a guide to raising the future children in our country. This was a powerful story, sis. I was sorry when it ended. I would have loved more of the story. Some day I hope we share a cup of coffee and talk about your gram. Maybe we could have some bacon, eggs and biscuits and gravy... That would make the perfect morning!!!! I am so sorry for your loss but so happy you have so many wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing.
hugs to you my sis!!!!
------------------------------ Connie Jo / Sputnik / RSS / Con-Air
Proud Fan Club Member Proud Member of Schirmcat's Naughty List Member of Send Love Today
Registered: February 18, 2010 Location: Stuck in the middle! Posts: 4680
Mon, May 31, 2010 @ 11:43 PM
Oh Pat, I am speechless this time and you know that NEVER happens! Your card and memories of your Gram and days gone by are all PRICELESS! So sorry again for your loss.
------------------------------ Tell someone you love them each day!
My best creation is my children. -Diane von Furstenberg
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