Grandma's Apron

I am sure you have at some point read this poem written by Tina Trivett. If you read my last post, you know that I love seeing ordinary things become extraordinary and inspirational. The apron, is one of those things.

First, enjoy the poem:

Grandma’s Apron

The strings were tied, it was freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.
She may have used it to hold some wildflowers that she’d found.
Or to hide a crying child’s face when a stranger came around.
Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth.
Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth.
She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire.
To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow.
You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow.
She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside.
Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I’m sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best.

by Tina Trivett

Though written about her own grandmother, she so beautifully describes what could be all of our grandmas. I certainly remember my own grandma doing all of those things with her apron for my brothers and I. But, how is it that a piece of cloth, that was simply meant to cover and protect the clothing under it, become an iconic symbol for the grandmas of years gone by? It was a symbol of how hard women worked to keep house, fix dinner and often would till the fields, yet still make time to wipe noses and faces. This is not to say that women do not adorn themselves with aprons today, nor am I eluding to the fact fact, that your present day mom or grandma does not work as hard or even wear aprons. They most certainly do. But aprons have definitely come a long way in design and style.

I remember watching shows like,  The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and The Donna Reed Show. Or, who remembers Father Knows Best? I was a young girl when these T.V. shows were around, but the role of apron clad homemakers, inspired me to become one. Too often, the new role models for young girls, are about growing up to be corporate and business leaders, models, and a plethora of career minded opportunities. Let me emphasize that nothing is wrong with teaching our children to excel in this world. In fact, I encourage it. But, too often, teaching our daughters and granddaughters to become great homemakers, wives and mothers, gets lost in the busyness of life as we know it.

Did any of those shows depict a sense of “realness”? Does an apron give you the “magical powers” to transform into a bread making, house cleaning machine? Of course not. I do feel kind of like a “Betty Homemaker” when I strap on my apron though, and while there is no proof that my cooking improves, an apron still serves the same aged purpose that it was created to be…….keeping kitchen splatters from ruining my clothes. I actually made this apron from a man's shirt I found at my thrift store.

Women across the world are preparing to cook holiday dinners for their families and friends. Whether you don an apron to remember your moms and grandmas, or to simply use it for it’s practical purpose, I encourage you, to simply have a heart full of love, and maybe wipe a few noses as well……..God Bless all of you!