Saturday, October 14, 2006

One of Life's most embarassing embarrasing moments

I was always a big garagesale person. When my daughter was little I used to give her $3 and we'd both go. This all happened whan she was about 4 or 5.
I went to this garage sale and looked around. I spotted a table off to the side where a very elderly woman was sitting. The only thing on her table was hankies. I went to look at them and they were some of the most beautiful handcrafted works of art that I had ever seen. I asked her if they were for sale and she said she didn't know. I started looking at them and I said how beautiful that they were. She preceded to tell me that her mother had made them (this lady looked to be in her 90's) She said that back them woman didn't work and they only way that they had to compete was in their cooking, canning and sewing. They used to make the hankies, all hand done some with embroidery to look like an entire scene, some with real handmade tatted lace, etc. They would go to church and hold them in their hand with the edge hanging over so everyone could see them. I'm telling you they were gorgeous. I talked with this woman for a good while and said I'm not going to buy them, they meant too much to her and I suggested that she might want to pass them down to someone in her family. She said she was married for over 50 years and as much as she wanted children they had never had them. So she had no one to pass them on to. I suggested neices, friends the historical society. She said she didn't have another living relative and she now wanted me to buy them. I said how much would you like. She said from you? 25 cents a piece. I said I couldn't give her that little for something which was so beautiful and meant so much to her. She said she just wanted someone who would appreciate them to enjoy them as much as she had. I asked her if she had any pets and she had a cat that was adored and she felt was her family. I asked her if she would mind giving me a stranger her name and address so I could either buy something for her cat or donate something to SCATS ( a volunteer society that takes care of stray cats). She said that would be fine. She probably had about 20 hankies. I told her that I would take only 5 so that she could give some to somebody else if she chose. I took the 5 and my daughter said to the lady...they are so beautiful. The lady said, You are one of the best behaved little girls I've seen. Your mother and I have talked for a long time and you never said anything and are very polite. Would you like to pick 1 hankerchief. my daughter said. YES! She let her pick out the hankie and then handed it to her. Ashley looked at it admiringly...then promptly blew her nose on it. OMG I was mortified.

9 comments:

Mary Bee said...

I'm laughing so hard. I can just imagine this. Oh so funny. Thanks for the huge smile on my face Jane. What a great story. Love it.

Giggles said...

This is absolutely hilarious! Just a bit of reality! The lady was probably flattered. After all that’s what it was for. They’d probably been washed many times before that. Enjoyable sweet story!

Peace and giggles Sherrie

vicci said...

Priceless Jane!!! That is a hoot!!! I love it! Children! Do you still have the hankies????

Beth said...

That is so funny Jane,,Love it! Sounds like something my daughter would have done. Hope your having a great week-end!

Jungle Jane said...

Yes I still have the hankies.
Jane

Cat said...

Wonderful story! I'm sure your daughter will love hearing it over and over as she ages (lol)!

Thanks for your comments on my blog, the last 2 pieces I show are 5x7 and 4x6. I do have an ATC on ebay though. (There is a Link on my blog if you want to see)

Thanks again, have a terrific day.

altermyworld said...

OHHHHHHHHH that is truly one for the books.
ANg

Janet said...

What a great story! I laughed out loud at the last couple of sentences!

I, too, love old hankies and did a post about some of mine although mine aren't handmade.

annulla said...

That's a marvellous story. You really did make me laugh out loud.