52 Ancestors: Treasures of the Heart and Home

Family heirlooms tell stories that span generations, each carrying whispers of the past and bonds that connect us through time. In my family, these treasures have primarily come down through my maternal line, each item holding its own special significance and story.

The antique desk with its graceful curved drawers and brass hardware holds a particularly rich history. Its journey possibly began on the Osage Indian reservation, belonging to Mrs. Brown, an Osage Indian woman who would later become my great-aunt Perky's mother-in-law. From there, it passed to Celestia (Hoard) Brown, known affectionately as Aunt Perky. Having no children of her own, she chose to pass this cherished piece to her niece - my grandmother Mary Ellen Hayes. Today, it stands in my home, passed down from my mother, its rich wood holding not just decades of family history, but also a connection to the Osage heritage that forms part of its story. The scattered dings, scratches, and scars across its surface aren't imperfections - they're chapters in its long history, each mark adding to its character and charm.

Some treasures carry sweetness in more ways than one - like the charming pair of pig-shaped cream and sugar containers that once belonged to my grandmother, Mary Ellen (Hayes) Roe Garcia. After her passing, her second husband Paul Garcia shared their touching origin story with me: my grandfather, Von Joseph "Rusty" Roe, had won them for her at a fair. That simple carnival prize became a cherished family keepsake, symbolizing young love and happy memories. Years later, when one of my children accidentally dropped the creamer's lid, my heart broke along with the ceramic. But my husband carefully glued it back together, and now that small blemish is just another chapter in its continuing story - a reminder that family treasures, like families themselves, can weather breaks and come back stronger.

Another treasure is a carefully crafted shadow box created by my Aunt Dawna, which is prominently displayed in my home. Mounted directly across from my front door, it's one of the first things visitors see when they enter - a deliberate choice that honors its significance. Within its frame rests a photograph of my great-grandmother, Lillie Luticia (Hoard) Hayes, surrounded by pieces of her jewelry and adorned with a delicate lace collar. Each item in this collection tells part of her story, preserved behind glass for future generations. Its placement ensures that her presence and memory greet everyone who crosses our threshold.

However, not all inheritances can be displayed on shelves or walls. Sometimes the most valuable things handed down come in the form of wisdom. When I married, my mother shared advice that had been passed to her by her mother: "Give yourself two years. Don't have children for the first two years and give yourselves time to grow together and learn to be a couple before you bring children into the mix."

Those words proved invaluable—though by year three, I suspect my mother was wondering if I'd taken the advice a bit too much to heart! Looking back after 31 years of marriage, I can see how right she was. Those early years gave us time to truly know each other and build a strong foundation. I've since passed on that wisdom to my own daughter-in-law, continuing a tradition of maternal guidance that's as precious as any physical heirloom.

Each of these handed-down treasures - whether crafted from wood, ceramic, precious metal, or words of wisdom - carries forward the legacy of the strong women in my family. They remind me daily of where I come from and inspire me to create my own legacy worth passing down to future generations. These pieces and wisdom passed to me give me the daily inspiration to write about my ancestors as a way to pass on their words of wisdom, life experiences, struggles, and joys.