A woman’s apron often leads a full life. And sometimes that life comes full circle. Take for instance, a very special apron from my own family circle. Some twenty years ago my children decorated an apron as a gift to my mother. Loving little hands busied themselves with sponges cut into different shapes and acrylic paints of various colors. The end result was a cheerful apron we packaged up and shipped off with love to Grandma Karen who lived many miles away, just in time for Mother’s Day I believe.
Every year we’d gather for the holidays, maybe Thanksgiving, sometimes Christmas or Easter and she would tie on that purple apron with the impressionistic yellow flowers painted across the front. It was tradition, it was expected. Honestly, I do not remember my mother wearing an apron much during my growing up years, but for the sake of her grandchildren, she proudly wore her holiday ‘uniform’ like a badge of honor every time we visited. She would even pack it up and bring it with her when she visited us!
And then, there came a day when there would be no more holiday dinners prepared for us by this tiny woman from behind her purple apron. It is still hard for me to say that, to write that. She loved gathering the family, cooking for us and nurturing us all. We miss her so. These are some of the memories we share together as I tie those same purple apron strings around the tiny waist of my youngest daughter, who never met her Grandma Karen. These are the stories we share as another daughter pulls this special apron over her head as she ices cupcakes for Sunday dinner. It protects her Sunday best, but bonds her heart to the faint memories of her grandmother as well.
That inexpensive apron, decorated with care and sent off as a gift to a special grandmother, has now come full circle back to the granddaughters she loved.
This is the second in my Aprons – a 31 Day Series. You’ll find them all listed by clicking on the image below.
Do you have a special apron memory? Please share! {sharing this post at some of these wonderful places}

Beautifuly piece Linda!!! I so miss your Mom! I saw her picture and could hear her laugh calling me “cousin Deb!” What a wonderful tribute and memory….
I’m so glad you liked my apron memory π I still hear her voice loud and clear some days. Remember how she’d get after us and get all flustered when we’d tease her during your summer visits? I love you, Cous!
Ok, I got teary-eyed reading this. . . I know I am going to enjoy this series on “Aprons” but I’m wondering how you are going to come up with 31 days of blog writing about them! π Looking forward to your posts, my friend.
I started this post, Deb, as a celebration post, but realized as I wrote that there were lots of mixed emotions and bittersweet memories. I’m having fun with this apron series – time will tell if I can keep up or not!
What a beautiful post. I am so lucky that my granddaughter is 10 and loves spending time wearing my apron — with me at her side. How sweet that your Mother always wore that special apron.
such fun, Grandma Kc! I know you and your granddaughter are making special memories together from behind your apron π
So so beautiful!
What an inspiration to leave such a legacy for our families!
Thank you, Adelaide. I guess our aprons ARE a legacy to our families. I’m so glad you visited. Have a blessed day!
This is my passion! (and now my daughters!) I’d be so thrilled if you’d share this post over at the Country Fair Blog Party. It is such a perfect fit for our readers!
Jan @ Tip Garden
http://www.thetipgarden (dot) com/2014/10/country-fair-blog-hop.html
Welcome to my little home on the web, Jan π wounds like we may have a bit of a kindred spirit connection. I’m hopping over to join your party – thank you for the invitation!
What a beautiful story! I love the apron that your children made and I love that she would bring it with her when she came to visit. A very special lady indeed. Thank you for sharing Linda!
Laurie – Country Link
thank you, Laurie. She was a special lady. Funny how little things like an old apron are the most precious memories!
What a bittersweet little story! Thank you for sharing it with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays last week. You have a lovely blog and message and I am glad you joined in!
Thank you, JES π I am so glad you enjoyed my little story. And thank you for hosting your party every week – I look forward to joining in again soon! I have been soaking up several of the posts on your lovely blog, I appreciate what you do. Blessings!
I have my grandma’s apron and wear it quite frequently. Such good memories.
What a wonderful keepsake, Lisa. I’m glad you wear her apron π Thanks for stopping by and giving us a glimpse of your apron story.
Congrat’s ! Your article was one of my Blue Ribbon Favorites over at Country Fair Blog Party and will be featured in a post going live tonight. I hope my readers find their way over here and enjoy your heart harming story! I have my Grandmothers apron and it was one of my most cherished possessions, but I wear it and use it and get it dirty, just like she’d want me to so I am glad your family does too! Thanks so much for sharing with everyone!
How exciting! Thank you, Jan π It makes me happy to hear that you wear your Grandma’s apron, use it and get it dirty – that’s how memories are made!
What sweet memories! How special that your girls have that from her. I’m sure it helps them feel close to her, even the ones that didn’t have the opportunity to know her before she died.