It has become one of my favorite posts…

This Tuesday’s

Show and Tell

features a piece of furniture that contains more history than I can share in one post.

To begin, this lovely Lane cedar chest (aka hope chest) was a gift from my parents when I turned eighteen and/or graduated from high school.  I’m not sure if it was a birthday gift or a graduation gift, but I still have this beautiful piece of furniture that I cherish.  Inside I have memories of my high school years, my three babies, and my twelve years with First Guaranty Bank.  There are Beanie Babies, a baton, a tiara, and cards that were given to me by loved ones.Recently I opened my cedar chest because I was looking for a giraffe that I seem to have misplaced.

(So I have a thing about giraffes.  Don’t judge.)

A few of the items I came across are worth sharing.

These are Church DirectoriesI began attending Faith Memorial Baptist church with my parents, before I was born.  I attended this church until 1997.  These directories contain pictures and information of the members of the church.  It is interesting to flip through and look at the people who were at one time a part of my life.

This poem

was written by my Mama while she dealt with the grief of losing her father.

This is what it says:

At set of sun in times long past, I see him coming home at last
We’d run to meet him one by one, happy that the day was done
A special word, a hug, a kiss, would let him know how he’d been missed
A crowded table with sumptuous fare, he never tired of being there.
(Did we realize what we had? That special place, a loving Dad.)
He’d settle back in his old chair, content to rest, to just be there.
We’d find a place upon his lap, maybe he would take a nap.
We learned of Jesus at his knee, of how he died upon a tree.
He told us of a home on high, how we could go there by and by.
Of our Father’s gracious love, bestowed on us from up above.

And now the sun has set once more, reflected on that golden shore.
The fluttering of angels wings, bear him heavenward as they sing.
His home awaits, the table set; joy replaces all regret.
Loved ones who’ve been waiting there, bid him welcome as they share
Hugs and kisses, special words,
And then his eyes behold the Lord.
Son, welcome home, the day is through. I’ve been waiting here for you.
…He’s settled now in heaven’s care, content to rest, to just be there…

It is a beautiful tribute and now has a place in my family scrapbook.

This is a big flower

from my baby boy.

He made this flower for his mama and placed his cute little picture in the center.  Obviously I love it as it has been with me for 20+ years.

This is a big message

from a little girl.

My firstborn DaughterShe is quite an imaginative little artist.  I especially appreciate the Jasmine inspired floating head.

Even today, Stephanie still has a fascination with all things Disney.

This Comic Book

was written by that same little boy in the above mentioned flower… Richard Starling.

It is a first volume publication by Marble Comics and is titled “The Nother World”

One day I will create a post dedicated to this comic book.

Both of my Memas

are gone now.

Mema Reid left us in 2007.  Mema Duck left us in 2010.

How lucky am I to have had a relationship with both of my grandmothers.  They loved me and I love them.

And I miss them both.

There is so much more… I may have to open that chest again next week.and I found that giraffe!