Buttons were always much more than the little devices that kept our coats closed against the winter's chill. Indeed, the buttons from our Grandmother's attic had many important functions.
For example, we had a wonderful time playing "Button, Button". Grandparents, cousins, siblings -- anybody in the house could play that simple game. Remember it? Somebody had to leave the room while the rest of us decided where to hide the button. Once the deed was done, we'd say, "you can come in now." The player would walk about the room saying, "Button, button, where is the button?" Those who were in on the secret would give clues like "you are getting colder", "you are warm", "getting warmer", and so forth until the button was found. Oh, that was GREAT entertainment on a winter evening while the wood fire crackled in the cast iron stove and the corn popped over the fire.
Another great button pastime was to get a big darning needle, some yarn or string, and Grammie's sewing basket. What great pleasure we found in simply stringing and restringing coat buttons of every size, shape, and color. I wonder how many times she heard, "Can we play with your buttons?" (We didn't know the appropriate use of 'may' and 'can'; same with 'good' and 'well', come to think of it!)
I think the thing that fascinated us the most was looking at the zillion buttons in a huge trunk in Grammie's attic and watching her sort and card her treasures as she prepared for her monthly button club meetings. Some of the buttons you see me offer these days were once in that trunk in her attic. And when I handle them, even today, I can almost hear the clattering of the buttons, sense that "antiquey" smell, and see the glow from the single light bulb near her trunk. Whenever I see her handwriting on the occasional button card, my thoughts travel back in time. The memories are so very precious.
You know, I have to say I'm sorry that so few children in this generation enjoy the simple things of life the way we did. Aren't you?
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