Sunday, June 7, 2009

Closing the book

This is the small diary that I started for our oldest son when he was two years old. I've kept it by my bedside since 1993. Each page represents one day in the year, and has five sections where you fill in the year and make a brief note. It was my Grandfather's diary, given to him by my mother, her sister and their mother on his birthday in May of 1945. He took it with him to California, where he served on a Naval Base during WWII. He made less than a dozen entries during that year, and it sat empty until I started making notes in it for our oldest. Most of the pages have been filled in. Some have gaps of years, but it's fun to look back and see almost 50 years pass between Grampy's last entry and my first. I never thought I'd fill up these pages so quickly. I never imagined 16 years would feel quick. I'm happy to hand over the book and let him peek into his childhood from his younger mother's perspective.

This chapter's over. Now he'll start a new one.

9 comments:

LL said...

SO NEAT!

Bonnie White said...

What a wonderful gift to your child and his that will come. As you read back over your entries, what sticks out to you know that was always there but you couldn't see it?

Smilin' sunshine said...

That is great! Congrats to you both!

shirlgirl said...

What a wonderful gift to pass over to the handsome graduate. It is a journal he should treasure forever. Let's hope that he makes entries in it now for himself and to pass down to his children someday. Congratulations, R!

rebecca said...

What a beautiful Journal! I have a bunch of blank pages in my mom's. I never would have thought to add too it, but I think I will. This is a treasure for sure! Thanks for sharing.

Becky said...

Seeing him in his graduation outfit makes me cry. Is it here already? Is he really leaving? I'm SO SAD! (but happy for him as he embarks on new adventures)

Trueman twins said...

What a great way to carry on memories.

Science Teacher Mommy said...

This is just so touching.

And I have to say it: those are the bluest graduation robes I've ever seen.

Jo Jo said...

I would have loved to have been there - so close yet so far away! What are the roses for? Your journal for him will become one of his most prized possessions. I can't think of a better graduation gift.