I remember looking through my Mother’s sewing things and examining her collection of buttons. She had a huge assortment of buttons of all shapes and sizes. Some were fancy. Others were plain and simple. She kept her collection in a glass jar. With a simple shake, you could pick out the button of choice then shake, seek, and find.
Her Mother had a collection of her own. Perhaps that is how my Mother got her idea. Grandma had a whole lot more buttons to choose from. A jar simply would not do for her collection. It was kept in a fancy hat box.
Like my Mother (and her Mother), I also have a collection of buttons – although mine is quite petite. It’s not really a "collection," rather it is more of a collecting spot for the buttons that have lost their homes. All of my buttons are all plain and and simple. They are NOT neatly set aside for perusing. I keep my buttons hidden – in the box – that has the needles, bobbins, and other odd sewing stuff – which I hardly ever use.
Although I keep my buttons out of sight, those who are closest to me (namely my children and my husband), needn’t ever lay eyes on my collection to know exactly which of MY buttons will benefit THEM in their quest for whatever they are in need of.
Take tonight for example, B called up and, in a minute, he had me in tears. He has always been the best at finding my buttons. He can find those that even I have lost track of. While I am looking forward to visiting him next month, I am also fearful of the button pushing that will likely occur.
I wish that this short time away from home was enough to break him of his old ways. I wish that there would be a guarantee that it would all be good if I let him come home again for the next school year. I petrified of him returning though. If I bring him home too soon, it could backfire on me in the worst way. I can’t risk it.