Monday, January 23, 2012

The Brown Paper Bag

I know.
To most of you, it's just a plain old bag.
Not so for me.

I can't begin to count how many of these paper bags have crossed my threshold
to enter my home.  Yes, many of them held groceries from the store
but most of them held so much more.

Sometimes, they were filled with books.
Good books.  Mostly mysteries, many with humor
that made me laugh out loud.

Other times, it would be a magazine or two or three
along with a box of tissues and a little sweet treat.

Of course, the contents were often holiday related.
Hearts, candy and cards for Valentine's Day,
a pot of gold for St. Patrick's Day,
cookies, fudge, gifts and glitter for Christmas.

In the later years,
the bag always had something for a child.
A little toy or bauble,
a pack of gum or chocolate bar.
Crayons, watercolors
or a fuzzy stuffed animal.

Of course the contents always changed with the seasons.
Spring and summer it was packed with vegetables or flowers,
live or seed packets.   Many times, it held coupons
to nurseries having sales.

Fall and winter, the magic bag held
a scrabble board
or crossword puzzles to be played or completed.

No matter what it held, it was special.
A treasure not to be undervalued.

The most important item it held was
LOVE.
  You see,
those bags were always brought in by my Mom.
The excitement is gone when I look at a paper bag today,
but the memories will last a life time.

30 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

oh, this was so sweet! you took the 'ordinary' and made it so much more. :)

Scrappy Pink Corner said...

This is very true. Very well said. Love it. The memories those paper bags have brought are definitely priceless.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Jill I love this it is such a feel good post. Memories are what we are all about. Good ones HUG B

My Mind's Eye said...

I love brown bags too and cardboard boxes. They can entertain me for hours
Hugs madi

Furry Bottoms said...

brown paper bags dominated my childhood. I look at them at the grocery store but never buy them. I think they'd make GREAT gift bags if you decorated them. Maybe I should buy a pack next time!

Paula said...

Now you get those darn plastic bags that multiply like rabbits. Very nice post.

Ellie said...

Oh Jill this is a lovely post. I will never look at a paper bag in the same way again. And I agree paper bags are so much better than the plastic type.

Jenny Woolf said...

And you didn't mention how much CATS love paper bags! I get such a kick from watching a cat playing with a paper bag, it's the funniest thing!

BTW I've been finding your blog a little hard to read lately, it's the black on grey, don't know if it is my eyes need more contrast or my computer screen, more likely :)

Unknown said...

This is such a sweet post. Great memories!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post Jill, it's nice to have those memories :)
Have a lovely evening! Big hugs x

Eva

GypsyFarmGirl said...

So sweet. I love brown paper.

Bonnie said...

Jill what wonderful memories. I truly is the simple things which stir memories and bring on the flood. Hope you are having a good Monday. Bonnie

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Great memories! We love to use brown paper bags for art projects.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What a wonderful tribute to the plain paper bag that has so much character and filled with glorious memories.

Beautiful post sweetie.

God bless you week, my friend! :o)

Donna said...

Awwww! It is a great memory for me as well!
Thanks Jill!
hughugs

Donna said...

Dear Jill,

I just love to come and visit your blog. You have such a gift of writing about anything and everything. You take something as simple as a paper bag and turn it into memories. You remind us of the important things, remind us to laugh, to care, to reach out.

Have a wonderful day today!

((Hugs))
Donna

EG CameraGirl said...

I like how you transformed an ordinary paper bag into an extraordinary post. :)

nanny said...

How sweet!! I love this post!

(and I miss paper bags so much)

Dianna said...

Sometimes the simplest of things holds the most memories...

Unknown said...

Thats a really cool story!

Jackie said...

I didnt expect the ending.... what a sweet sweet memory of your mom and all her little treasures

Nancy said...

What a lovely trip down memory lane with you Jill -- who would think a plain brown bag would evoke so many wonderful memories? Well done! :)

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, yes, brown paper bags sure have fond memories, don't they? If you get a chance, pop over to my blog!! xo Cin

Tammy said...

Oh how sweet :)

I know you are keeping the tradition alive for your kids too.

Chatty Crone said...

What great memories can come out a simple brown bag. sandie

Reena said...

What a great post. And such a twist on an ordinary item.

Dawnll said...

I appreciate you sharing a treasured memory of a time gone by...
You have such a way of bringing it right to us sweetie.
Thank you

Lynne said...

BEAUTIFUL Jill. . . . sounds like she was a "giver" . . . a lady of love . . .

ღ Jans Life According To Milo ღ said...

I can understand how you feel, those memories mean more to you than any expensive item ever could. Great post as usual, Jill!

Susan said...

So, so true isn't it? Lovely post!