Old.

Have I mentioned I love old things? Not just old things, but old people, old stories, old songs, old movies, old homes, old furniture, old tools... I feel like Bubba Gump! There are so many great things about old.

But I get it – old is a relative term.

My husband feels old (and he's only 40). TVs can be old and only be made 15 years ago. Last week's leftovers growing science experiments in the fridge are really old! (I told you I would be real with you!)

And I understand there are things way older than my favorites. I'm not talking Medieval here!

I mean that there is a fascination within me about things that tell a story. My family members who remember my Great and Great-Great Grandparents could go on for hours about them without me being the least bit bored. I love to hear about Aunt Lula Mae, who was my Great Grandmother Rachel Terry Craig's only sister. They had five brothers! She spoiled her nieces and nephews like crazy and treated them all like they were her own!

And on my Mitchell side I have my Great Grandmother Elizabeth Jennings Mitchell Roe, whom I am named after. She was strong and loving – but no one messed with her! She was the original BOSS! Everyone in our family called her "Grandma Lizzie" and I am proud to carry her name!

She loved Dawson Roe! And he loved her (probably because she told him to). He was her second husband.

My Great-Grandpa Jeff, whom she married at 19, left when their three children were young and Dawson came in and took on this new life. He gave her and our family nearly 30 years of dedication and love. Together they built the house that still stands on our family property in South Louisiana.

John Dawson Roe and Elizabeth (Jennings) Roe, in the 1950s

You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is still a sigh.

The fundamental things apply as time goes by.

And when two lovers woo they still still say: I love you. On that you can rely!

No matter what the future brings, as time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs - never out of date.

Hearts full of passion - jealousy and hate.

Woman needs man - and man must have his mate.

That no one can deny.

It's still the same old story, a fight for love and glory, a case of do or die.

The world will always welcome lovers as time goes by.

~ Frank Sinatra

I never knew my Great Grandma Lizzie. She died almost five years before I was born. And Dawson, two years before that. But there are so many things about them that still speak to me today. Whenever I remember my Grandparents' home and the property most of my Aunts and Uncles live on today I am struck by the history of the place. I look at ancestry records and census notes about where people lived and am amazed to see that even three and four generations before them, our family still lived in the same small community of Pride, LA! And that makes that area even more special to me!

So when I go junkin' I can't help but think of the history behind the pieces I find. Old kitchen utensils and tools are the best! How many cakes did someone bake with this pan? And how many birthdays and family dinners were made a little sweeter because of this sifter? 

Preserving these pieces may not bring back the people, but they will certainly keep a time alive in my mind and heart. 

So, let's go junkin'!

Liz