Loss

CHILDHOOD IDYLL

“I always remember how my father dressed. Suit and tie for work; flannels, sports jacket and cravat at home. And cardigans.

“The buttons always intrigued me. Stout and round and leather, with four distinct quadrants. I’ve only recently discovered that they’re called football buttons, originating, I believe, from overcoats worn by officers during World War One.

“Whenever I see one of those buttons it reminds me vividly of my father, and makes me yearn for the countryside idyll of my childhood.”

SPARKLE AND GLAMOUR

“My mom was so good at sewing, knitting, just creating anything she wanted to; she did try to teach me, but I struggled and was barely able to crochet a couple of hats and scarves. But she never gave up on me and this is why for years she would give me different items such as fabrics, yarns and, especially, buttons.

“I never used the buttons because I cannot sew! But I did look at them, once in a while, as it was a way of remembering my mom and the time we spent together. This button belonged to one of her fur coats: this is so ‘my mom’! She loved the sparkling part: it was so important to her. She was so fashionable and elegant.”

A FRIENDSHIP

“I bought this button at a wonderful haberdashery shop in Paris I visited with Gianna a few years ago. We’d been friends since we were five and were celebrating our seventieth birthdays. I had just bought a coat with no buttons on it for around fifty euros. At five euros, this single button was quite expensive!

“Some time after our Paris visit Gianna developed Alzheimer’s, and although she could no longer communicate with me I often wondered if she remembered that trip. I hope she did.”

FOND MEMORIES

“This flower button is from my mum’s favourite cardigan; she had it for years and it really suited her.

“When Mum died in September, I took the cardigan with me. It still has her smell and brings back fond memories.”