Sunday 6 January 2013

Storytelling Sunday 2013

Yay it's back for another year, Storytelling Sunday!  For 2013 Sian, over at From High In The Sky, has added a little twist and has asked everyone to Pick Your Precious for this year's storytelling.  I do hope you'll join in.

It was easy to pick my current 'precious', although it will be packed away later today for another year, it's the stocking that I made Maddie for her first Christmas 18 years ago.  She was six months old and it was a bit of a spur of the moment decision to make it, I knew she was too young to understand, but went ahead anyway.  I sewed each stitch by hand and she has put it at the end of her bed every year ever since.
It was filled on Christmas morning this year and instead of putting it at the end of her bed and disturbing her I left it under the tree...big mistake!  I left the room for 20 minutes and when I had returned Alfie had the stocking in his mouth and was trying to get the chocolates out!  I shouted, Maddie ran in, saw what happened and ran straight out again.

I managed to wrestle it from his jaws but it kind of ruined Christmas Day.  There were lots of tears and lots of discussions about how the stocking could be repaired, at one point Maddie wanted him gone, never to return.  It was during the day that I realised how precious the stocking was to her too.  She asked me how I would feel if the dog chewed something my mum had made for me, I couldn't answer because my mum has never made anything for me.

The next day I inspected the damage and we've decided to leave it as it is for the time being.  It has even more history now and, like I said to Maddie, when Alfie is no longer with us she will always look at her stocking and remember the naughty dog that we loved so much.
It did take her a couple of days to make friends with him again though!

Now it's your turn, tell your story about something precious to you.

Thank you for stopping by
Jo x

25 comments:

Jen said...

Oh my heart was in my mouth - I am so glad the stocking wasn't destroyed by naughty Archie! A "precious" indeed - thank you for sharing you story. J xx

Sian said...

That's certainly a perfect example of a "precious"! My heart was in my mouth too and I love how Maddie was able to resolve her sadness by thinking about how she would see it in years to come . I think she's right.

A great story Jo. Thank you

Sian said...

ps - and what a truly lovely stocking it is!

Unknown said...

While it is very sad that Alfie chewed bits of the stocking, I bet it warmed your heart to hear how much she loves that stocking. It now holds so many more memories and in years to come it will probably be a story you laugh about each year. That was a great precious.

yvette said...

A lovely story Jo, and a new Christmas memory made!

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

I'm so glad that Maddie has forgiven Alfie now. The stocking has even more history and memories now. Definitely a good way to look at it.

Sabrina DS said...

Your daughter is so lucky to have such a precious thing from you. Truly precious! Happy 2013!
Cheers from Bordeaux, France

Lou said...

what a lovely stocking Jo - hoping that Maddie will enjoy it even more now with the extra memories x

dogmatix said...

What a lovely stocking but, oh my,I thought there would be tears at the end of it :-( A great story.

scrappyjacky said...

So glad you managed to save the stocking...and,of course, it's 'war wounds' will become part of its magical memories.

Cheri said...

Despite the near disaster, isn't it nice to know how much your daughter appreciates what you made for her?

Abi said...

Oh no! The stocking is so lovely too! I had a similar experience with my favourite teddy when I was eight-the cat tried to rip his nose off! I was equally as annoyed.

Missus Wookie said...

I'm another who was dreading the end of the story - thankful it wasn't ruined. Agreeing that it has more history and another family story about it too now.

Sheena said...

oh my goodness I'm so pleased it wasn't totally destroyed. Many thanks for sharing x

Melissa said...

What a great story. I agree, it gives the stocking even more history now. How wonderful that she cherishes it!

Mary B said...

Wow that is some story, hope the naughty dog is now contrite and that your Daughter feels OK about it all.

Alison said...

So glad Maddie was able to forgive Alffie....how lovely to know how much she thinks of her stocking!
Alison xx

Elizabeth said...

So glad that Maddie decided to keep the Christmas stocking, and that she is no longer angry with Alfie. You are so right, there are even more memories about the stocking now.

My not so simple life said...

oh bless her! what a wonderful story, glad she's friends with him again :)

alexa said...

Oh gosh! How precious too that you've both been able to bring something precious out of a moment which could have felt so disastrous. And how lovely that she still values something you lovingly made for her ...

Susanne said...

Oh what a sweet story. Glad are fences have been mended between girl and dog.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

A very sweet story, indeed. I made a stocking for my daughter for her first Christmas (she was 6-months old) and even though we all got new stockings a few years ago, she still insists that "Santa" fill her original stocking. (She's 24 now!)

Irene said...

A happy ending to what could have been a disaster. Such a precious object and wonderful story.

Barbara Eads said...

Your story only makes your daughter's stocking all the more precious. Plus, now that you know how much it means to her, you can make more things for her! A plus all the way around! PS Thanks for stopping by my blog. I've added you to my list now. How could I not---with that title! Very intriguing. As you get to know me, you'll see that I am smitten with Britain!

Jane said...

your story made me smile.