A few weeks ago, I had a great find at TJ Max. A bottle of Mint Imperials...Why was this such a great find? My Nanny Johnson loved them. Seeing them made me think of her and miss her. She passed away several years ago. I spent most of my life in the US and she lived in England. So we didn't get to spend enough time together, but I always knew she loved me. I know she still loves me.
She was always the first person to send me a birthday card and Christmas card. From the time I was eight until I was eighteen she sent me new pajamas for Christmas. I still get new pajamas for Christmas, but my daughter and husband get them for me now. I'm not sure if they know how the Christmas Eve pajama tradition began.
I look forward to seeing her again some day. But for now this little jar of Mint Imperials will sit on my vanity reminding me of her never ending love.
So who are you missing this holiday season?
Those Mint Imperials are great aren't they?! It's funny how the little things remind us of loved ones who are or have been special in our lives. I'll join you in saying that I miss my mother dearly. She lives in the Caribbean and I haven't seen her in a while. Enjoy your evening and thanks again for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely my grandma. I wish she could have met my children. My daughter's middle name is her first name (Josephine). I make her recipe of cookies each Christmas, I even have the recipe card with her handwriting.
ReplyDeleteI love TJ Maxx by the way!
Ellie--It's hard when we are seperated by great distances. I'm blessed in the fact that I get to go to England every couple years and my Dad comes over about once a year.
ReplyDeleteKelly--My Nanny met my daughter once. I love that you have your grandma's recipe in her hand writing. What a lovely thing to pass down along with the tradition of making her cookies each Christmas.
what a lovely post. My grandmother liked these assorted colored candies called Neccos. Your post reminded me of that. Another thing that I liked was how you wrote that your Aunt "passed away" (well, I don't mean that I LIKE that she passed away!..but rather...) I never understand when someone says someone "passed" (without the "away!") I am certain it is a regional thing. Who am I missing? My Mom and my brother. I hope they are sitting in tall director chairs together...both drinking pina coladas with straws out of coconuts. I like that idea. Thanks for asking. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat are mint imperials? A type of candy? From the label, it looks like they're made in St. Andrews? (I was just there visiting last month, a lovely place!)
ReplyDeleteSweet post, reminiscing of a dear friend. Amazing how one thing can bring us back to an earlier time, an old friend.
Celeste--What a lovely name! I'm sorry for the loss of your Mum and brother. It gives me comfort knowing my Auntie, her son John and my Nanny are all together. I hope you find a pretty bowl and put some Neccos in it. I don't think I'll ever open my mints. I just look at them and smile, remembering the love my Nan had for me.
ReplyDeleteMy Auntie and my Nanny were (serious) Catholics. Auntie Dot gave Nanny a lovely gold Cross right before she died. Nanny gave it to me. So it is extra special. Two women who loved God and loved me gave me it.
I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Everyone we know makes us who were are. We must remember to be thankful to all of them.
Terresa--They are a hard mint. They have a smooth texture, like sucking on a weathered mint rock. I don't know if the Mint Imperials Nanny ate were from St. Andrews or from somewhere in England. It's just one of those special little things that makes me feel all warm inside.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I hear "The Electric Slide" I think about my dear friend Natalie that died at 29 in a house fire. She used to do the electric slide with her students. Oh my...I'm thankful she was my friend.
Isn't it nice when something so simple as mints can bring back such happy memories? This was a lovely tribute and I love the pj tradition.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. It's nice to meet you. I'll be back again soon.
Happy Thanksgiving!
jj
What a lovely post! I love moments like that, when a small simple thing just takes you back. I'm glad you have a tangible reminder of that moment.
ReplyDeleteI had a moment like that last week when Mom said she's giving me a chest my Papaw refinished. I sat beside him while he did it. I miss Papaw's teasing smile, especially during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteJoanna--Thanks for checking me out. You have a lovely holiday too.
ReplyDeleteTammy--Thanks for your kind words. It's funny that a little jar of mints makes me smile each morning.
Catherine--That is so sweet. I'm sure you will treasure the chest and will be able to envision the time you spent with your Papaw every time you look at it. :)
Aw what a sweet post. It's funny the things that make us think of loved ones. After reading your post I realized that every time I see a box of Jujyfruits I'll think of my grandma. Which is strange unless you know her and know how many boxes that woman goes through in a week!
ReplyDeleteKrysten--Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday and get to eat lots of Jujyfruits with your grandma. I'm not sure what Jujyfruits are?????
ReplyDeleteThat was so nice - I understand those sentiments exactly :)
ReplyDeleteJonas-Thanks for stopping by. I was hoping you would share....Have a wonderful week...Are you celebating Thanksgiving?
ReplyDeleteOh this post jarred me into tears. Holidays do that to me. I'm missing my daughter and family who live on the other side of the country:( Your grandma sounded wonderful and makes me hope I can be that kind to my grandson.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to meet you and have you come by my blog today! I love meeting other writers:)
Terri--Thanks for stopping by. Holidays can be wonderful events, but for many people they are hard and filled with loneliness. A large part of my family still lie in England. We make the most of every momment we get to see each other.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will find a way to have those special memories with your grandson. My dad is building greatr memories with my daughter even though they only see each other once a year. If you look at my post from Nov. 30th, you'll see one of the memories he made with her.