The Emilie Loring Collection

Our Christmas tree is decorated, lights are up outside, and most of our presents are under the tree, waiting for Christmas morning. I’ll do a little more wrapping today, and Santa will bring his gifts after we go to bed on Christmas Eve.

I enjoy gift-giving. I like to think about people I care about and imagine what would bring smiles to their faces and inspire them in the direction of their dreams.

When my children were small, I had an every-year list: something cuddly, something musical, something to eat, something to make, something to read, something to learn, something to play with.

As my sisters and I managed careers, family, and the vicissitudes of life, our gifts became more utilitarian: helpful tools, housewares, and wished-for wardrobe items.

Then one day, it occurred to me that we might be on the wrong track. I put together a very fun box for my eldest sister and wrote a poem:

When women become mothers

and sisters writing pals

it’s easy to forget

that underneath, they’re still just gals.

With errands run and dishes done

and countless else, it seems,

The magic stays throughout their days;

they still have girlish dreams.

Inside this box, this tiny box,

are treasures just for you.

Each one is small, but try them all

and make some dreams come true.

There’s nothing here to work with

and nothing here to mend;

There’s nothing to be on time for

and nothing here to tend.

You won’t find things you’d buy yourself–

These aren’t that practical.

You won’t find things you even need,

and that’s most fun of all.

So reach inside when you have time,

and give yourself a treat.

And feel the glow from head to toe

of satisfactions sweet.

In that spirit, I offer you these photos from my camera and quotations from Emilie Loring. Her books do for me what the box of treasures did for my sister. Read her stories when you have time, and give yourself a treat!

 

The happiest of holidays to you all. Send me your favorite Emilie Loring quotations–and your photos, too, if you want to share–and we’ll ring in an inspirational New Year!

(send to: contact@pattibender.com)

 

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