I was admiring a lovely tray that my Mum has when I was visiting last.  It was an oval shape with proteas covered by glass. It had rattan wound around the sides to make the sides and the handles. I did remember it being at my Nannas’ place and  overlooking it as a child. But there was something about it I liked very much.

I pressed Mum for where it was from. “Was it Nannas?” I queried.  I learnt that not only was it not Nannas but it was my Great Great Grandmothers –Ma Cross as we call her. “wow”. I was taken aback.  
I asked where she normally stores it. Mum replied it is normally downstairs. It’s an area that I don’t often go into it, as the door is shut. As I haven’t lived at home for 25 years I just don’t venture there.
So at this moment she had no real spot for it. I began suggesting spots to put it but nowhere I suggested was appropriate for various reasons.
I mentioned in passing that I needed to replace my present tray, as mine was coming apart at the corners.  It has become quite unsteady if used as a breakfast bed tray.
I thought no more about my comment and just admired the tray  as the antique it was.  
I put the kettle on for a cuppa with Mum and she said, “You can have it if you like?”
“Oh no Mum you hold onto it”.
She insisted and all of a sudden I was given this tray. The only stipulation. “It must stay in the family, so make sure the girls know that”.
When I got home, I was stumped. Where to put it. Yes it was hard decision to make, because it is quite big. I thought it would fit above my microwave, but alas it was too wide.
So I positioned it on my kitchen table with our fruit on it. So it is being used every day.  I can take the fruit off it when I need it. I will probably find a more suitable spot for it but for now it works well.

Whenever, I look at it, it reminds me of my Nanna her Mum Nanna Brogan and her Mum Ma Cross.

A Pointe step

It was with great excitement that we left the house today on our way to the ballet store.. We eagerly dresses and hurried through our daily chores. Brid needed to have her toe nails cut very short and  wear comfortable clothing. Brid chose her dance pants.
Brid has been waiting on this day for some time..Dreaming and wondering what it would be like..
We were heading to the town to pick up our gorgeous Ballet teacher as she was keen to oversee Brids Pointe shoe fitting.
On route we received a call, 'I have locked myself out of the house..' this meant Miss Kristy was unable to come with us. I said to Brid, "Let's pray".  If God wanted her to come with us he will make it happen. Within 5 minutes we got a call- She could come with us... I was quite pleased, as this isn't just a pair of Ballet slippers, these are Pointes. I needed help and from  a trusted teacher, who has Brids best interest in hand..
We arrived at the store, my heart thumping, so I can imagine Brids excitement. We were called over and the fitting began. Firstly, Brid was asked to do a few Ballet feet positions and then each foot was drawn and measured and the length and width taken..

The shelves were being searched for a small size, a narrow foot. At last the moment, Grishko was the first to be tried, Russian pointe was next, then Mindens.
It was around about that time, that I realised Brids' foot was so tiny. These tiny shoes were being put onto her feet, and they were fitting..
Her Teacher and the fitter were talking terminology I was unfamiliar with. I was totally dependant on them and their expertise. Brid was to tell them how her feet felt in each shoe and this determined it being correct, or not, for her feet. 
She stood in second in a grand plie in each shoe and this was were it was noted how the foot felt on her. Was she cramped or was there too much room. Then she walked to the Barre', was asked to rise first on one foot then the both. My heart jumped, she looked so grown up.
All those Demi pointe classes, all those extra stretch lessons to gain her strength in her legs, back and her feet.

The decision was made and the Russian pointe was the one chosen.
I know God was with us in this fitting because as soon as she tried the Russian ones on, I got this sense, these were the ones, but as I knew nothing about this area I said nothing. 
The fitting was written up and the fitter explained several things to me,she drew were the ribbons and elastic was to go and in general was very helpful.
Our dear friends came along as well, and it was Chantelle who piped up, giving advice to Brid and helping her like a loving friend would do. Afterwards Chantelle gave Brid a card congratulating her on Her first Pointe shoes, so special, and so sweet.
It could not have been a more special day..Our friends, our teacher, all there for one reason to support and advice us on this important decision in Brids life, A ballet dancers life..