A Grandmother Remembered

One of my treasured possessions from my paternal Grandma Ernestine is a birthplate she made in ceramics. With paint she wrote my name, birthdate, birthweight and length, and the time and place of my entry into this world. Bluebirds and flowers adorn the border. I have kept it safe all these years and I still remember where it hung, along with my siblings' plates, in the entryway of our home on Clemens Drive.

Being a grandmother myself now, I decided I'd like to follow in her footsteps and do the same for my grandchildren. These plates will be different from grandma's in several ways. These I "threw" on the potter's wheel this past year, so there will be more imperfections to them; and, I guess more of my personality. And, this one is being made in Africa, so what could be more appropriate than having a baobob tree painted on it?

Franca and her husband, Tyler

Legend has it that God was unhappy with the taste of the baobob fruit that He stuck the tree in the ground so the roots were on top, giving it the odd shape. Tracy actually likes the seeds which have a SweetTart flavor. I've found the trees fascinating ever since I read "The Little Prince," which is why I want them to decorate the birthplates. Franca, one of the owners of the pottery shop where I take lessons, said that mothers often gave birth to their children in or under a baobob. It was thought to bring great blessing as the baobob is one of the oldest trees, therefore, being a "father." Regardless, it is a "tree of life," providing food, shelter, and water to humans and animals in Africa.

We certainly want great blessing for our grandchildren. And, we know the One who crowns our lives with good things. As I finish these plates, with each stroke I will be wishing God's blessing on Jude, Atticus, Soren, Lucy, Flannery, Truman, and Lorelai. They are a very sweet fruit, indeed~