 |
| Similar to our table photo courtesy photobucket.com |
This post was inspired by Barbara’s entry to: “Tell me a True Story” blog party. You can read her story about her Dear Table - - by CLICKING HERE.
* * * * * * *
My husband often helped John a friend of ours fix up old houses that he would purchase and then rent them out. At times there was furniture left in the houses and John always found good use for them.
One day instead of paying my husband - - our friend brought us a large dining room table with matching chairs. He had noticed that we were using a picnic table with benches in our dining room.
 |
| photo courtesy photobucket.com |
Honestly I hated that table because it was big and old-fashioned.
Actually, it was a great table, and we could pull out the extensions and serve a crowd which we did many times.
One day we had a visit from two of our aunts and both were delighted in my table and Geneva said, “I will trade you my new maple set for this one.” Suddenly both Aunts were arguing over which one would get my table.
“Why would you want it?” I asked. They went on and on about its beauty and the shine of the cherry wood, and its elegance and how it would hold a large family banquet and how this table was a true find.
I took a new look at my antique table, and decided maybe it was beautiful after all. I told my aunts "I think I will just keep it but thanks for your kind offers."
We continued to use our wonderful table for many years, and then when we moved to the Oak woods it seemed too large for our mobile home.
Our children had each purchased new dinning room sets, so I asked our foster daughter Nancy if she would like to have my table. “Oh yes,” she replied, and although they now have an empty nest, there are times when her five children and their families still gather around that lovely table.
We recently visited there, and one of our grand-daughters lovingly smoothed her hand over the still gorgeous wood.
I wondered if she was claiming it - - as the next in line to receive the antique table.
This post is shared at: Stacy’s Heartprints Hallelujah
Also Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays
8 comments:
Interesting to have you realize, finally, that this was one special gift for you and your family. And so many of us would be in that same "Hmm" viewpoint, for one reason or another. And, I hope the g-daughter who is in love will be able to enjoy it forever... until the g-g- and g-g-g- granddaughters or even sons will thoroughly enjoy it. [If Antiques Roadshow is still in place a hundred years or so from now, someone should make thousands and thousands for it. How cool is that???]
I have my mother's dining room table - one I remember from my childhood with much love. My step-father has always hated her furniture and finally managed to wear her down about replacing it. We drove from Virginia to Florida and brought it back where it is installed in my dining room. The memories of those who sat at that table and are no longer with us makes the furniture that much more sweet. Even though it broke her heart to part with it, she knows I love it and it will go on to a grandchild or great-grandchild when the time comes.
I'm fascinated with how something like that becomes more valuable than money. Family heirlooms. It's not the things, it's what they remind us of, the special times that make up our lives shared together.
Not sure if my last comment was published? It's so special how the things we have become more valuable than money. Family heirlooms are worth so much because of what they remind us of, the times together that make up our lives.
A memory table! Sometimes the oldest things take on a new shine when memories are added.
The hidden treasures of life...sometimes we fail to see just how richly blessed we are.
Thanks for this reminder to look deep, to look past, and to cherish what we have been given.
Thanks for linking up at "Heartprint Hallelujahs"~
~Stacy
It that table could speak, what wonderful stories it would tell of the love and family times shared there! New and modern isn't always better -- they don't make furniture with the quality materials and loving craftsmanship that they used to. Thanks for the great post, & God bless1
Laurie
Furniture like this connect our families, even long after we ourselves are gone. Glad to know your table found a new home :)
Post a Comment