Gifts
September 9, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: Elena 
My wonderful Dad has Alzheimer’s. Like my Dad, I tend to look back a lot at scattered moments. One I will never forget is opening my birthday gift this year, from my Dad. With the help of his caregiver and my Mom, Dad was able and proud to gather, wash and paint a series of ordinary rocks. They are not so ordinary any more. Each is brilliantly colored and labeled with the name of a family member.
I felt it only fitting to present my gift to a small section of my yard. It’s not beautifully manicured, but holds many dear memories of moments: The bird bath constructed by my kids and husband incorporating marbles belonging to my father-in law’s childhood. The bricks comprising the circle and the rose planting that came from my grandparent’s yard. The violets so lovingly transplanted from my parent’s home one stiflingly hot day by my Dad. The twenty year old garden pig, a housewarming gift from my in-laws.
I vividly remember playing with my siblings in my grandparent’s yard. I remember mentioning to my Dad that I coveted his violets. I remember the twinkle in the eye of my reserved father- in- law as he named the garden pig. I remember moving into our home, when our kids were small, playing and creating together. I remember all the elderly loved ones now passed, who relaxed in our yard and laughed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Our guest today is Elena Caravela, a visual artist and illustrator of children's books, from New Jersey. Please go see what she does over at Elena Caravela: Illustration for Children, Elenacaravela's Blog and Portrait of a Girl and Her Art. You'll be amazed! And as we all know, it's a small-small world...because she started visiting us after our guest Goeff Dunn was with us in early August. Welcome to V&V, Elena!
Elena Caravela, gifts
Reader Comments (21)
At first sight the coloured piglet caught my eyes. Reading your words I went back to your photograph, and got to see each of the gifts you wrote about, one by one. It has taken a totally new dimension for me. Beautiful and heartfelt post, Elena. Welcome to Vision and Verb :-)
These Gifts you've received, Elena, now become another gift where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts! I find myself just staring in amazement and glee at what has been created, especially by your Alzheimer's dad. I can't imagine a more delightful tribute anywhere.
Thank you for joining us here at V&V today!
It's as if you've gathered these gifts and created a circular mandala of memories, What a beautiful way to pay tribute and honor your father. Amazing how ordinary stones can be rendered so extra-ordinary!!!
Welcome...and thank-you for visiting us today!!!
I love the way these small things encapsulate love. Thank you so much for making a gift of them here. My violets, both the purple and the white ones, came to me from my father who handed them over saying gruffly 'bloody weeds' with a twinkle in his eyes.
This is a lovely garden of memories of loved ones and events, your family is always with you when you look at it. It's a lovely idea, thanks for sharing it.
Your special garden tribute to your family is just wonderful. It's often the little things that are the most treasured keepsakes.
Thank you so much for joining us today, Elena.
What a brilliant & thoughtful gift your dad came up with ~ what a sweet & creative way you displayed all these memories together!
How touching that your Dad's caregiver and your Mom helped him in creating your gift, making a priceless treasure for you to enjoy. It looks like Mr. Garden Pig is very happy for the new additions to what looks like his "throne"!
What a lovely story. Thanks for joining us today!
Thank you all for your heartfelt comments, your warm welcome and for this wonderful blog. I look forward to each engaging new post, and I'm so very glad to have connected with all of you.
Elana, first welcome to V&V! Thank you for the very touching post. It hits home with me as my dad also has Alzheimer's. What memories you have in your backyard and ones that will be with you forever. A touching and beautiful memorial!
mornings like this one, mornings when my jaw begins to open and fully extends with amazement and wonder happened on a morning like this. reading your post and discovering your illustrative talents, awards, love of color and life make pouring the coffee, climbing the stairs to the computer, a rainbow of a morning.
thanks.
What wonderful and special gift to add to all your garden gifts.
I just love this - and I especially love the painted rocks. When I was a small child - still in grade school, and perhaps early in grade school at that - I painted some limestone gravel rocks with watercolors and gave them to my mother. It's the first real gift I can remember giving her - in the sense that it was my idea, and I carried it out without help.
There's a poem I loved and lost - it was in a magazine, and despite years of searching I can't find it. But it contained a line about gifts - that they help to make the moment stay. Indeed they do.
A beautiful story. This garden is so full of meaning. Between the photo and reading your words, I'm filled with emotion, not sure whose. Thank you for sharing!
Awww...you speak of your dad in such a loving way. It is inspiring to know that love can overcome anything!
Thanks for visiting and writing here about such a magical spot in the garden. One from the outside never knows what sentimental treasures surround us. What a special place for you!
These are the best gifts ever, the gifts that warm your heart and you will always remember. The treasures in our life. How beautiful!
A wonderful sharing of your intimate treasures. It's lovely to have you here with us today at Vision and Verb!
I love the way you've collected these special items all together. It is a great way to remember people, traditions, and time shared. Thanks for sharing this on Vision and Verb.
Your garden sounds like a very very special place. lovely to see you here Elena
What a wonderful set of gifts, and the "shrine" you have created with them. How could anyone not smile each time they see it? I love that you have all of these memories laid out in such a lovely place, right alongside those memories.