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Sunday, January 31, 2010

A PIECE OF SILVER THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY!




I'm linking this post to Silver Sunday, hosted by Gypsy Fish.





You may be curious about the title of my post. I guess I should have said "the piece of silver that changed the course of MY history", but I was afraid nobody would be interested enough to come read my post if they thought it was all about me. If you've read my blog before, you may recall that I was adopted when I was almost four years old. I guess people don't give silver baby mugs to a 4 year old, so I received a silver goblet.


It was engraved with my name and my birth date. My biological sister, who was adopted with me, received one also. When our adoptive parents got us, we came without birth certificates. Those had to be changed to our new names, and our biological parents names had to be replaced with our adoptive parents names. Our adoptive mother had told her friends our birth dates, so we received gifts with our birth dates engraved on them.

You may be able to see my birth date of September 9 (a great day for births, since Tardevil's new baby was born on September 9th). (You may NOT be able to see the year, since I cleverly photographed it so that the year did not show. I'm pretending that all of you have not figured out that I'm an old lady!) My sister's had the date of September 11 (and the year after my birth year) engraved on hers. For all of our lives, we celebrated both of our birthdays on September 10 (the date between the two birth dates - are you getting confused yet?)

When I was a senior in high school, I went to Europe for a student exchange program. When I went to get my passport, my mother informed me that the birth date on it would be September 11, and the birth date on my sister's would reveal that she was born on September 19. Now I've really confused y'all. Well, it kind of confused me too. Mother said that when our birth certificates arrived in the mail, she realized that she had told her friends the wrong birth dates. Rather than let her friends know that they had given us gifts with incorrect dates on them, she kept the dates as she had originally thought they were. Whew! That was a long story for a small event. But I can tell you, it kind of shook my world to learn that I was not born on the day that I had been celebrating all of my life!



You've heard of a child being born with a silver spoon in her mouth, right? I guess when my parents adopted me, I was too old for a silver baby spoon, so I got a silver toothbrush! (It didn't make my teeth any better though, because now all of my teeth have silver in them! Do you think brushing with a silver toothbrush could do that?)



These two matching pieces of hammered aluminum belonged to my mother. They have a tulip pattern on them, and I've always liked the floral handles, which appear to be Dogwood blossoms.





I know there are collectors of aluminum who always check the bottom of the piece. I know nothing about that, but I'm showing the bottom of the basket in case someone out there is interested in the maker, etc.




I don't know how those candy hearts got in the basket! Be sure you go to Gypsy Fish to get links to all of the silver posts. Thanks for putting up with a post about MY history. laurie

39 comments:

GardenOfDaisies said...

Laurie, You know I LOVE hammered aluminum pieces!! Really pretty tulip design.
And sweetie, I think you should be allowed to celebrate your birthday for three days in a row!!!

Rust: Vintage Inspired Design said...

Wow...what a beautiful story and beautiful silver!! A silver toothbrush??...that I have never seen!
Happy SS!
xojanis

Rettabug said...

I'm really confused now....does this make you older or younger than you thought??? LOL Just kidding! I think those are wonderful momentos, no matter what the date. How special & lucky your Mom must have felt to be allowed to adopt both sisters from your generous birth mother!

♥ all your silver items & also the great tablescape you did this week.
I'm hoping to join your Valentine's Day party, too. Just now going to add your button to my blog.

Anonymous said...

LOL....oh Laurie, I laughed so hard when I saw the last photo with the hearts. Loved your SS post!! I would just celebrate the whole month of September. And your hammered aluminum is some of the prettiest I have ever seen. :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Laurie, what an interesting post. I loved learning more about you. Your silver cup and the toothbrush are just wonderful. I have never seen a silver toothbrush before. Great post and sounds like you have very loving and wonderful parents. Hugs, Marty

SmilingSally said...

I loved today's post! It shows what a well-loved person you are. The birthdate might be a bit confusing but you are here and you are special.

Kat said...

I love your wonderful silver pieces, and the history behind them. I've never seen a silver toothbrush before, how special! And the hammered aluminum pieces are gorgeous, I just love those. What a neat story, your mom sounds like a very thoughtful and loving person. Hope you are having a great weekend and staying warm. Kathy

Judi said...

Hi Laura
That is such a cute story Laura. Your silver pieces are so pretty and so very special and help make up your lovely story. I wonder how I might have thought about changing my birthdate. That is so interesting.

I hope you are having a great weekend...
I'm having a Giveaway and its written on my Sidebar...come and visit.

*hugs*
Judi

Jane said...

Hi Laura,
I really enjoyed your story and found it very interesting.
Beautiful silver pieces you pictured this week. I don't think I've ever seen a silver handled toothbrush.
Jane

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh my goodness -- so many birthdays! As long as it doesn't mean you age a full year for each date you celebrate, then celebrate them all.

Loved seeing the aluminum -- my grandmothers had them, haven't seen hammered aluminum for ages! It's pretty, isn't it?

Very cute post!
Cass

Robin said...

Such a wonderful story!! Thank you for sharing that with us!!

{{HUGS}}

Robin :o)

Sonia said...

I love your story and your silver toothbursh is so original!! I absolutely love your tulip basket and the edging is lovely.. I posted tulip silver candlesticks this week...they would look wonderful with your pieces! Great post!

Miss Bloomers

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing the story with us. I think that is the first silver toothbrush I have seen also.
Glad to see the sun today!

vignette design said...

Laurie,
I was hanging on your every word! What a fantastic story! First of all, that you and your sister were adopted as children, then to find out your birthdays were all wrong! Quite interesting. Your silver cup with your "birthdate" is very charming. Love the toothbrush too. Thanks for sharing all your silver pieces and history. --Delores

Helen said...

Dear Laurie,
Today's post is pure charm and so much fun to read. Since my youngest son, my grandson and I were all born in the great month of September ~~ I can relate!

Barb said...

A beautiful story of your life and your mother's love....Barb

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing such a lovely story! What great gifts from friends of the family. The silver and aluminum pieces are lovely.

Sherrie said...

If you have stopped by my post before, you know I am all about the stories. I have seen many silver baby cups over the past few weeks; however, your story was the best. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hey Laurie, does that mean you get two birthday parties? How sweet of your adoptive mom to give such beautiful gifts when she received you and your sister. I've never seen a silver toothbrush. She must have had that special made. Take care, Rosie

The Tablescaper said...

Such a beautiful story. How lucky for you to have a silver goblet and a silver tooth brush! Keep those beautiful memories close to your heart. Just out of curiosity, when do you celebrate your birthday now?

- The Tablescaper

Unknown said...

Laurie, what a wonderful way to meet you as I have just been invited to your tea party by a very kindred friend. After reading your wonderful story and seeing your very personal toothbrush I can see you are also a very kindred soul who enjoys sharing her life. I'm liking it!

The Muse said...

LOL...Loved the oh so SUBTLE reminder of the Valentines party...LOL

Your story of the Silver that changed the world, was a true delight. Even if you think that you fudged the title...LOL LOL...

Many hugs to a gal, I know better now, than I did yesterday :)

http://myladydujour.com/

Dixie said...

Laurie... now that's a new twist and turn to the story of Laurie... we adopted kiddos can never be quite sure about the particulars of our birth... now you've got me wondering...

silver toothbrush huh? Now that's a new one too!

Unknown said...

never seen a silver toothbrush before. Thanks for sharing
Nancy

Foley said...

Great story - goes to show how sweet of a lady your Mom was not to disappoint the friends who gave the gifts!
Love all the pieces!

Lynda said...

Laurie, what a heart warming story!! I don't care what day you were born on...just that you were born!! You're such a delightful lady, a blessing to us all.

And the silver's not bad either!! *giggle* Lovely pieces with wonderful history.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Very interesting Laurie...Our daughter was older when we adopted her. But no confusion on the date! I loved reading your story.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Laurie! What beautiful pieces of silver and what an interesting story to go with them! My daughter always seemed to get a birthday WEEK no matter what, so you can, too! lol Happy Sunday!...hugs...Debbie

xinex said...

I like the silver goblets and the toothbrush Laurie. I can tell your mom was a wonderful and a very loving lady. And you have a very interesting story. But I love the #'s on the silver aluminum platter, it's John's and my bday, 4-29...Christine

Ginny said...

Laurie, I celebrate my birthday all month long! Why not? Loved your story. By the way, never be ashamed to tell your age...It is a sign of a woman who is comfortable with herself and who she is!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

All of your silver is just beautiful! Thanks for visiting my blog and my website....I hope you received my emails...all fixed!
Penny

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Laurie,
That is a touching story, but I can see why that birthdate change was upsetting. My daughter has met her birthmom but she just calls her by her first name. It sounds like your Mom was a very sensitive and caring person, just like you! Hugs, Cindy

Diann said...

Hi Laurie!

what a fun post! Love your silver and really enjoyed the history behind them!

Marigene said...

What a beautiful story of your birthday(s). I had never seen a silver toothbrush until seeing yours...love the silver goblet. Thanks for sharing Silver Sunday.

Americana Lady said...

A heart touching story that I feel privileged to have heard, thank you. It sounds like you have lived a much loved life. Joan @Americana By Candlelight

Cindy said...

What a neat story! And really touching!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

What a wonderful story of your birthdays. You are so fortunate to be able to share your birthday with your sister... love your silver pieces...hugs ~lynne~

Gypsy Fish said...

I hope I'm not crossing a line but, if you can have biological and adoptive parents....why not have biological and adoptive birthdates? See there's that dreaded silver lining again...have a great day I loved your poThanks for being part of Silver Sunday....see you next week~
{{gypsy hugs}}
Bethst...

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a wonderful story Laurie! Your Mom was quite a special woman and I think that you were certainly raised in such a way that you're truly a "gift" to all of us who've grown to love you too. Now, my mother used to tell us that as long as you celebrated a birthday in the right month....you weren't late...or early either!