My mom is from the western part of North Carolina; west of Asheville where rolling farms transform into the Smoky Mountains. It’s beautiful country.
Most of Mom’s immediate family has stayed in the area. Sophomore year of High School, my mom, sister, and I went down to Haywood County just after Christmas to visit Grandmom and my mom’s oldest sister, Aunt Mary. At the time, they were living in the house where the family had moved when my mom was young.
(Incidentally, I’ve never met anyone else who calls their grandmother “Grandmom” – it’s always “Grandma” or “Grandmother” if they use a name with “grand” in the title.)
One evening, we were sitting around the living room after dinner, chatting. Suddenly, Grandmom turned and looked at me.
“I bet my prom dress would fit you,” she said. Aunt Mary turned to assess my fifteen year-old frame and agreed.
Without another word, a red crepe dress was pulled out of storage. My grandmother had worn it to her Senior prom in 1942. Due to wartime rationing and family budgets, my great-grandmother had made the dress herself.
It fit like she had made it for me.
It’s floor-length with gathered cap sleeves and ruching along the sides. Down the spine are tiny, fabric-covered buttons from the neck to the end of the slight train. It is a masterpiece.
We looked at pictures of my grandmother in the dress more than fifty years earlier. She’s standing in front of a bus – gas rationing ruled out any other method of transportation for prom attendees.
Grandmom had four daughters, but none shared her body type and the dress went unworn. She and I, however, were of the same mold.
My grandmother passed away in 2010. That was a difficult year for my family; we lost Aunt Mary, too. Pictures like the one above hold sweet memories. I can’t describe how special I felt that night – my grandmother had looked at me and seen a little of herself! That dress is a special, precious connection.
Jessica says
I called my grandmother on my dad’s side Grandmom 🙂 It was always nearly impossible growing up to find birthday cards or whatever that said “Grandmom” instead of “Grandma.” And my grandfather was “Granddad.”
This is such a cute story!
Helena says
Haha, you are right about the cards! (and Grandmom’s husband was Granddad or Granddaddy, too!)
Jessica says
I called my grandmother on my dad’s side Grandmom 🙂 It was always nearly impossible growing up to find birthday cards or whatever that said “Grandmom” instead of “Grandma.” And my grandfather was “Granddad.”
This is such a cute story!
Helena says
Haha, you are right about the cards! (and Grandmom’s husband was Granddad or Granddaddy, too!)
Vanessa says
What an amazing dress! It is just lovely that you have something like that to cherish.
Vanessa says
What an amazing dress! It is just lovely that you have something like that to cherish.
Sarah says
The picture from the paper framed above GG’s (great grandmom) chair always caught my eye. I loved that story when you were 15, and again today with happy tears steaming down my face. Because, yes 2010 was an extremely difficult year.
Sarah says
The picture from the paper framed above GG’s (great grandmom) chair always caught my eye. I loved that story when you were 15, and again today with happy tears steaming down my face. Because, yes 2010 was an extremely difficult year.
Jess says
Very touching story, Helena. I really cherish family items as well. My most priced possessions are from my Great Aunt Gen, Great Aunt Marie, numerous grandparents, and my Father who passed away in 2010. Nothing is more precious than the memories we make with those we love.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful piece of yourself. I enjoyed it.
Jami says
Helena,
Thank you so much for this story. You have such a way with words. I, like your mom, am smiling and crying at the same time. Mary showed me this picture of you and Aunt Betty the first time I went to visit. I miss them both so very, very much.
Helena says
That Sarah is actually Mary’s daughter in law. She totally fooled me, too, the first time. (“is that you, mom?”).
Thank you for your kind words about my writing. 🙂
Beth says
So sweet!
Beth says
So sweet!
Helena says
That Sarah is actually Mary’s daughter in law. She totally fooled me, too, the first time. (“is that you, mom?”).
Thank you for your kind words about my writing. 🙂
renita says
that’s so wonderful. what a beautiful dress and heirloom.
(my mom went to HS down in NC – though west of Asheville, near Boone – and it is beautiful. the people are a different story…)
renita says
that’s so wonderful. what a beautiful dress and heirloom.
(my mom went to HS down in NC – though west of Asheville, near Boone – and it is beautiful. the people are a different story…)
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