My grandfather is 86 years old and he makes things out of wood. Because he was a carpenter he helped my parents build their home and in most of my childhood memories he's nailing shingles on the roof, putting up studs and carrying sheets of plywood while wearing his striped overalls with his red handkerchief sticking out of the back pocket. I can't go into Home Depot, Lowes or any construction site and smell lumber and sawdust without thinking of him--it's been wired into my brain forever.This year he made me a chest. When you open it you take a deep breath to catch the burst of cedar as it releases into the air and it has a little brass plaque inside that says, "2009--to Michelle from Grandpa Nichols" and it has the fancy, heavy hinges that let the lid glide closed without a sound. It's supposed to be one of those "hope" chests and it stores my great-grandmother's quilt that won her a blue ribbon in an Idaho county fair ages and eons ago though Lillian calls it a "casket" and likes to hide in it. Rather disturbing, but what are you going to do with a seven year-old?
When Grace saw it and read the little brass plaque she said, "Wow, Mom, it's so beautiful." Then with a sly glance to the side said, "That's something you can even pass down!"
Because she didn't know that Grandpa surprised us both and made one final trunk--he swore it was his seventeenth and last one--for her. It's nearly identical to mine but with the inlaid dovetails slightly altered and we saved it for her for Christmas morning. Of all the things either of us could have got for Christmas it was perfect gift. Times two.
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57 comments:
It is absolutely exquisite! Too funy that your daughter hides in it. :) How special that your grandpa made it for you (and one for your daughter!).
Very special!
Michelle, this is a wonderful post. I really appreciate you writing it. I copied it and sent it to Dad. I am sure he will feel the same way about it.
Love,
Dad
OH Michelle...how sweet that is!
They are gorgeous and what a great memory to treasure always!
What a wonderful Grandfather !
How beautiful!
Absolutely gorgeous! My husband is a woodworker as well. Oh, and don't let Grace loose with a Sharpie. My Aunt M, when she was about ten, wrote her name on the bottom of all of the furniture pieces she wanted passed down to her. Yes, she seriously did. Heh.
Beautiful! What a treasure to have for always.
That is a beautiful hope chest. To realize that your Grandfather made it for you makes it even more beautiful.
Wow, that's gorgeous! Your grandfather is a very talented man.
Wow...what a beautiful and priceless gift for both you and your daughter. Something to cherish forever.
It's very beautiful and very special! It's treasures like these that will keep the memory of someone special alive forever.
I can't think of anything to add that hasn't been said. Beautiful to look at, beautiful workmanship, beautiful memories, and a beautiful grandparent's soul.
Michelle,
What a beautiful gift to receive that shows so much love and hard work that was labored into each and every detail. Love it!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
How beautiful! This post brought tears to my eyes, because it makes me think of my own grandfather. :-)
What a heart-warming story. And he made two! At his age, too. Speaking of caskets... there's a "home store" for caskets in a small town near here. There is usually a casket or two sitting in the front room, amongst the sofa, chairs, TV, and ... baby play pen. I wonder if the older kids take naps in the caskets?
Beautiful! I love that your daughter already sees that special connection. Our world has become so 'disposable' minded, we don't cherish heirlooms the way we once did.
Our first and my favorite wedding gift came from one of Hubs' uncles. A pair of lovely walnut candlesticks he made. They're all the more precious because they're made from trees from Hubs' grandmother's home. He grew up across the walnut orchard from her and her place was his sanctuary when his own home was in turmoil.
How special for both you and your daughter to have a gift that was made with love and thoughts of you in every board, every minute.
How special - times 2!
What a beautiful post... and an even more gorgeous chest - one that will be full of memories before long, I have no doubt.
Hope chests for Christmas holds a special lace in my family and there are many stories about them, all very loved. How special that you both have one.
Truly gorgeous. I'm so glad he made two of them. :)
What a beautiful chest. Such a treasure. How nice that he made one for Lillian too.
There's no gift so wonderful as something that required skill and dedication on the part of the giver. That really says love.
Almost makes me wish I had some useful skills!
oh wow - and now she doesn't have to wait for you to die ;)
What a beautiful gift, and how nice that you'll always have those memories. I always wished I could be handy and make stuff like that but I don't think it was meant to be.
What a special gift for you and your daughter. You will always think of him everytime you pass it by. The fact that your daughter has the appreciation for it is awesome. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing.
Funny,I just posted about a fine wood crafter today too. Builderman has not built a hope chest yet, though he's made inumerable beautiful things. This is on my wish list now. A treasure - such a gift of love.
How lucky you are! An absolutely lovely gift...from the heart.
Lovely! Truly the stuff memories are made of.
Tammy and Parker
www.prayingforparker.com
@PakerMama on Twitter
Absolutely beautiful. What a sweet grandfather you have who also does exquisite woodwork. So happy for Grace too.
What a precious gift your grandpa gave you and your daughter! The legacy passed on with your great grandma's quilt. Both absolutely priceless!
~Mimi @ Woven by Words
How sweet! I bet Grace was very happy she didn't have to wait.
FYI @Tonggu Momma, if the furniture has been sealed (and if it is the underside, it's not likely but this is worth a shot anyway) with a soft towel gently rub whitening toothpaste over the sharpie. Circular motions work best. Rinse with water once the marks are off. It worked on our desk when my son got to it.
I am in tears...how gorgeous.
lucky lucky you to have such a talented grandfather.
The chest is beautiful and what wonderful memories you have.
That's so special, you'll always cherish it. My grandpa built a little cabinet for a play kitchen for me when I was a little girl. It still sits in my house and I love it so much :)
That is beautiful!!! A true heirloom!
That's incredible! So, so, sweet. Too bad he's done making them. I've been searching for someone that will make one for me.
Casket-hehe!
You know how priceless those are! So cool!
It is so beautiful! What a wonderful gift, so very special.
OMG That is so wonderful. It was always a dream of mine to have one. You are lucky and it is lovely that your father posted here as well. :)
Priceless. Simply priceless.
What a treasure! It's simply lovely.
I've been bugging my carpenter husband to make one for over 12 years. You are so lucky. What a treasure to have that your grandfather made for you!
The chest is absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful gift!
Awesome gift. It's also great that your daughter appreciates the love and workmanship that went into making it.
How nice that your daughter is wise enough to appreciate a gift from the heart. It's a beautiful gift all the way around.
What a beautiful gift!
WOW! That's beautiful - and I got a little teary thinking about what your daughter's reaction must have been :)
How beautiful and wonderful to receive such a gift!!
So special. What a wonderful, wonderful gift.
I sure treasure Anna's little baby cradle he made for her...what a wonderful man he is!
What thoughtful and absolutely beautiful gifts.
What a treasure! Times two.
What a treasure! Times two.
Such beautiful work! My grandfather also was a woodworker, but he had to give it up by the time he was about 78 because he was cutting his fingers more than the wood.
That *is* the perfect gift! Handmade and from the heart! It's absolutely beautiful. :)
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
Michelle -
This brought tears to my eyes (as it did a LOT of people, I'm sure...) because of the memories of your Grandfather that I have. I am pleased and honored to say that my daughter, too, is the recipient of one of these beautiful chests. It is a gift that I cherish more so than she, but she, too, will cherish it later in life when she learns the story behind it.
How special!
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