memories-necklace-1

Remembering…

Memories…

We all have many. Some we cherish, some we’d rather forget. Either way we think we have total control over our memories. Sadly life can be cruel and there are those who cannot remember. Not because they don’t want to but because Dementia does not let them. Symptoms of dementia include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

When I was asked to make a piece for Stamford Artisans Guild’s Memories Exhibition to raise funds for Dementia Support South Lincs I did a lot of thinking. And remembering.

I have often jokingly said “I can’t remember” in order to be evasive or to wind up Mr A.

But what if one day I really can’t remember?

Image via https://subtlesoul.blogspot.co.uk

A Hindi film called “Jewel Thief”… The lead female character in that film called Shalini… And the fact that my name is Shalini because my aunts decided I should be called Shalini after watching Jewel Thief…

And a song in the film which has the words “O Shaalu”

Carly Simon sang “You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you “. I don’t think it was vanity but as a child I always thought this song WAS about me because everyone calls me Shalu (Shaloo) and I have always referred to it as my song. Some of my friends do as well πŸ™‚ Recently Raja added it to a playlist he made on twitter and told me he had added my song.

While talking to another twitter friend Ava about the song she said she loved the dress “Shalini” was wearing and the coin necklace (just like the headband in the picture). And how coin necklaces were all the rage, her mother had one. I am not sure if I had one but I definitely wanted one!

These little things are just there, part of life, part of growing up, part of my memories.

Anyway… I said I should make a coin necklace and Ava said I should use pennies because I work so much with copper. It was an idea filed away for future like many others.

When the “memories” Exhibition came up I made a coin necklace full of my memories.

This necklace was purchased by Spriha from London in September 2013 and the full amount of her kind donation of Β£20.00 went to Dementia Support South Lincs.

And now you are thinking “She is so vain! This post is about her!” Of course it is! It is about a memory that is important to me, its about why I am called Shalini. And its about a sincere hope that I do not get to the stage when I can’t remember who I am or why someone is calling me Shalini. And its about telling you all that no matter how special your memories are one day they might fade away. Cherish them while you can and be kind to those who can’t any more.

And if you want to listen to MY Song it is on Youtube πŸ™‚

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Comments

    • Ava
    • 18th September 2013

    The necklace is so beautiful Shalu!

    So you were named after this character πŸ™‚ I was named after Ava Gardner πŸ™‚ I named my daughter Hena because of the lines in the song “Karoge yaad to har baat yaad aayegi” the line goes “Hatheliyon ki Hena, yaad kuch dilayegi”.

    This is such a beautiful coin necklace. It reminds me of the traditional Mohran (coin) necklace worn by brides in Punjab. I remember seeing it on Simi Garewal in the Punjabi movie Udekaan. I will try and get an image of it for you.

    Love you Shal!

  1. Thanks Ava! Glad you like the necklace, it was you who put the idea in my head!
    Its really interesting to know the origin of names. I don’t know… If my father had his way I may have been called Tanuja or one of the other top actresses of the day πŸ™‚ This film was released 2 years before I was born and I guess my aunties just liked Shalini. I quite like it myself!

    Hena is a lovely name. If I am not mistaken that’s a song from Bazaar?

      • Ava
      • 21st June 2015

      Yes. It is from the film Bazaar. Lyrics by Sagar Sarhadi.

      I am smiling at our filmi connections. πŸ™‚

    • Dave
    • 19th September 2013

    Memories, one that sticks in my mind is walking through a shopping arcade with you, you picked up a strung bead necklace and bought it, afterwards I remember saying something like “you could make that”, four short words that launched us down the path we are currently following, but best of all we are doing it together, and remember, there are many times you sat there frustrated because you can’t think of what to create next, it seems every time you have these moments a really great piece springs to life, so just keep on doing what you are doing and at the same time you are filling my head up with new memories. Mr A

    1. Famous last words Dave… xx

    • raja
    • 19th September 2013

    This was a wonderful read, Shals. Or should that be Shalu? πŸ™‚ And the coin necklace is just SO fantastic. You’re really excellent with your fingers. And your brain. πŸ™‚

    1. I can be anyone you like Raja πŸ˜›
      Shalu might be more memorable though…
      Thanks for commenting πŸ™‚

    • ava
    • 19th September 2013

    Yes, Shalu, the song is from the film Bazaar.

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