Hers and Mine
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 03:00PM 
It started with a spark...sometimes that is all it takes to get a thought rolling around in my head. I was visiting a friend in Seattle this fall...she lives in a most gorgeous little harbor town. We were at her house for dinner one night and as I walked into her living room..with a view, the light caught my eye and took me to a small table by the window...and what to my wondrous eye did appear but a silver plate just full of sparkling little tea spoons. To add to my delight, they were on a lovely silver tray. I took out my i-phone and started snapping but something was missing..the photo wasn't giving me what my heart was feeling...Along comes my very talented friend, I show her my shots, she then procedes to turns one of the spoons over, took a shot and there it is...the spark.
I came home from that trip, uploaded my photo's and in my grouping, was..Her photo. From there I went through my dining room and kitchen draws...looking for silver, and I was surprised by how many nice pieces I actually had..some very old spoons given to me by my Ms. Margaret before she died..some of my own that I had found at antique shops and a few newer pieces all blending together nicely, but no where could I find a silver tray, so I used a beautiful dish of my Grandmothers for my silver spoons.. Not long after that I got a gift in the mail...a tiny silver spoon that shows Mount Rainier, with the height of the mountain printed on it..My friend remembered how much I loved her spoons and and she knew we were heading to Mt. Rainier, after leaving her, so she sent me one...it was a beautiful gift. So it went on my little tray and then I took my photo. My tray sits on the hutch in my kitchen so everyday I pass it and I see her little spoon there, resting so nicely with all the other little spoons...sort of like a little spoon family. It reminds me of the days I spent with Her...and her generous heart. That was when I thought of my photo...Hers and Mine together...forever.
So a spark brings light, joy and and an idea. A spark can generate a trip, a visit, an open heart. That's what happens if you feel the spark and then act on it. The spark starts off tiny...like meeting on Flirckr and grows throught the common love of photography and a meeting of the minds..and occasionally the spark turns into a forest fire and you pack your bags and you go...and that's is when you feel the flame of friendship...sealed for life.
Who knows when we will meet again..but we will, of that I am sure, but the spark has been lit and the flame has grown and the fire continues to burn...it produces warmth, respect and love...generating across the United States...all of this and now a beautiful, timeless photo from one tiny little spark...
As you move into this New Year...full of plans, ideas and goals...remember to keep your eyes open for that spark and don't turn away from it...go towards the light...you never know what you might find at the other end...
Happy New Year...friends...
A very special thanks to another friend across the miles. She gave up part of her day to talk to me, help solve a problem and in the end...made this photo more beautiful...sparks are flying everywhere.
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
Reader Comments (18)
Oh my goodness! Both of these old silver spoon collections are so beautiful, unique and special. Old spoons when shared through the family lines are dear to me too. I have old spoons, small ones, that my grandmother's grandmother brought from Sweden when they immigrated to the US. I treasure them. Your side by side "Hers and Mine" is just perfect, as is the pretty dish your silver is resting in. This would make a beautiful wall print for your dining room or kitchen too! LOVE, LOVE your words about a spark and flame, and friendship across the miles! Wonderful! Happy New Year to you my friend!
I'm going nuts (is there a nut spoon in the collection!?!) with this GORGEOUS composition and your story.
Oh my . . . how much space do I have here? How to put into words what I am feeling, thinking? I can't express how much tenderness, forgiveness and meaning you have brought into my life since meeting you. We both grew up so differently . . . yet similar in a lot of ways. Because I was surrounded by a lot of "silver" things, but not within a nurturing environment, I somehow associated my mom's weekly silver polishings as pretentious . . . a substitute for time she could have spent with me . . . as a result, when I got married I wanted NO silver . . . nothing fancy . . . however, there is a China cabinet in our small dining area into which some shiny artifacts have been sleeping! When you come to visit, you will fall in LOVE with our little Stonington Boro and one particularly gorgeous antique store! I LOVE your idea of the tray of spoons . . . oh my, Cheryl . . . you have me all atwitter and glistening with your description of your experience! This is my favorite story to date, aside from your family blogs, of course. Tell me again what made the difference in the quality of your photo when you friend turned over the spoon? Somehow I missed that. Now I've just put "silver polish" on my shopping list! More sparkling wishes for the Best New Year to date! xox
I know how you feel. My mother gave me her full set of silver and I use it all the time. Martha Stewart said if you use it it won't tarnish. I have found that to be true because mine is shiny and I have not polished it in the five years I have had it.
And yes a spark of an idea can send you anywhere. But isn't that the fun?
What a great story! And a daily reminder of it. Great processing.
Hi Cheryl ... what a beautiful post! I adore your hers and mine silver photos. So glad the sparks are flying all around you!!
wonderfully written you have such an beautiful way of describing friendship. No wonder you have so many friends. Unafraid of opening your heart.
I am just delighted that I have come across your blog. It's so lovely and filled with delicious words to savor. I too love those special encounters with others where the sparks fly and friendships are born.....
Cheryl, there are times when people meet as long lost friends who have never met before. I've lived in more places than most and my friends are scattered across the globe. Occasionally I meet a forever friend and tuck them in my heart and know that whenever we cross paths, the friendship powers up! Time is of little consequence-it just was meant to be. We will carry on.
Your words really hit the essence of friendship. I'm so lucky to call you my friend! (Jim, you're included!)
A wonderful, heartfelt story Cheryl. Friendship s are so special I think I have found some good friendships across the 'airwaves' thanks for sharing your lovely spoons and your story.
Cheryl the photo's and your beautiful writing are wonderful, you are gifted my friend. I love the quote, may I share? xo Lisa
What a lovely, lovely post. I love silver and have it stuffed every where. I need to get it out and take some photos, but first I must polish it :)
A wonderful story of friendship, Cheryl. There is sparkle and shine in both images and in your words. Happy New Year to you...may those sparks continue to fly!
Wow, incredible spoons. FANTASTIC.
Thank you Ladies for stopping by...I love when you visit...have a beautiful week.
Such a beautiful story and gorgeous photos...I love their soft tones!
What a wonderful story of friendship, centered around one of my absolute favorite things: silver flatware. I've collected it for years, especially those unique serving pieces and anything with a grape or grapevine design. I use it every day, and I truly love spending time polishing it. But I don't have any displayed, and after reading your post I plan to do just that. Thank you for the inspiration.
Hey, can you polish my silver? Here's to never letting the fire burn out! Live, Love and laugh forever from this life into the next....
Hello H.S. sure send it over...it might cost you a bit to get the saddle here but if there is any silver on it...it will be nice and shiny when you get it back..and to think I gave away all my silver so many years ago...good thing Ms. Margaret left me some..I like your philosophy on life.