When my Mom was five years old, her father built this rocking chair; it was the year of 1926. Freshly painted bright white with animal decals were the final touches. I can only imagine the expression on her little face when “Daddy” presented this to her. It has traveled from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Mom was born, far west to the sunny state of California. All of her daughters in their youth (my sisters and I) have shared the joy of this piece of history.
This priceless heirloom has lived in my sister’s homes for their children to use and appreciate. Then when our son and daughter were born, the charm of this gift touched them, as well. Over the years and more often than not, the thought of refinishing this mini rocker had drifted in and out of our minds. Although for some reason, it never happened. Maybe we were afraid of erasing history. Nonetheless, it will remain as you see it in this photo and our hope is that in the far future our grandchildren will have the chance to rock too.
Sometimes memories are all we have of years gone by, at times photographs evoke past moments spent, and now and then, a piece of handcrafted furniture takes us back to people we love and have lost. It’s been over three years now. We miss you, Mom. ♥
I’d like to thank Jean at https://socialbridge.wordpress.com/ for tagging me in this fun photo challenge.
Here are the rules for the “Five Photos Five Stories” challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge.
For my fifth and final nomination, I am tagging Michelle at http://michelleclementsjames.com/ (Book Chat) and I look forward to her contributions if she can find the time in between her wonderful book reviews.
Lauren Scott © 2015
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 
incredible post, images and story….
Thanks so much, Mino! Have a great Monday!
A wonderful post Lauren! What a fabulous heirloom, such stories surrounding it! I just love it and I too would be reluctant to refurbish it. 😊❤️ Xx
Thanks so much, Chris! We won’t be refurbishing it anytime soon. It is nice to view its original state. ♥ xo
This is a touching story Lauren. I hope your grandchildren will have a day to sit and rock too. 🙂
Thanks, Kim, and I hope so, too. Although, we’re not ready for grandchildren anytime soon. 🙂
I know you’re not but the love you’ll have for them is unbelievable.
Hugs, my friend!
I have wood table and two chairs I intend to paint with flowers and patterns and perhaps country scenes. I hunt the trash piles for such all the time.
Sounds nice, Carl, and they can be passed down through your family, as well…
Wow!!!! Lauren, memories brought back to 2015, I somehow tried to imagine how your mom felt.
Lovely rocking chair.. It surely has lots to tell. 😊💙
Thanks so much, Maureen! This was fun writing and remembering…we only wish Mom was still around. ♥
Lovely post., Lauren. That little rocking chair must have volumes of stories to tell. Hugs.
Thanks, Michelle! Did you see that I tagged you? For some reason, I wasn’t able to link your blog. Anyway, just “play” if you can, no pressure…sending Monday hugs!
Thank you Lauren. I just got back from vacation in Maine and a visit with family in Boston. When I catch up, I will be happy to play along.
I’m sure that was wonderful! I’ve never been to Maine but would like to visit someday. I’m glad you’ll take the challenge. I’m actually not blogging right now because of homework 🙂 but I’ll try to watch for your posts. Hugs, my friend…
We had a precious rocker like that, until a solid strong friend eased himself into it and it collapsed under his weight. 🙂 We miss that rocker.
You made me laugh, Ian! So sorry that rocker is no longer with you, though…:)
what a lovely post, such positive, priceless memories you’ve shared here.
hope you have a great week Lauren. 🙂
Thanks, Geraldine, and I hope you’re having a great week, too. I have lots of writing to do for my class. Let the fun begin. 🙂
Truly a priceless family heirloom dear Lauren!The story behind it deeply touched me and especially your reference to your mum who is still living in your heart …
Loved the fact that you didn’t refurbish it in case you erase history.Your emotive words and your cherished memories have given your post extra dimension!It’s not just a simple,ordinary story.
Have a wonderful week ahead ~ Sending Love & Bright Blessings your way 🙂 <3,Doda xxx
Thanks so much for your awesome comment, Doda! 🙂 With the memories this rocker evokes, it won’t be renovated anytime soon. Hope you’re having a wonderful week, too! Sending much love and many smiles your way! 🙂 ♥
Lauren, what a beautiful heirloom. A brilliant post.
Thanks so much for taking part in the challenge. I really enjoyed your posts.
I’m glad you enjoyed this bit of family history, Jean, and I had a good time with this challenge. I have a lot of writing to do for my class now so blog time will probably be less. Take care and see you soon! ♥
That is really nice that you still have a piece of family history like that. I would say never refinish it since its age and wear is a lot of its charm.
Thanks, Binky, and we won’t. Its charm will continue to permeate through our family. 🙂
A beautiful family heirloom with a romantic history, in this day and age a lot of old furniture is refurbished, I think it would be a shame to do that with your rocking chair, age is what gives it it’s history and personality, let the kids rock it into future generations.
Thanks, Ian, and I agree with what you said about refurbishing it. We won’t do that; its history and charm will remain. 🙂
I love the chair! My parents moved last year from their home and we found many treasures and precious! Story is so nice!
Thanks so much, Lyn, and it’s so special that you found many treasures at your parent’s house, too. Hang onto them. 🙂
The Rocking Chair is beautiful ; the story you paint is powerful and tugs at the heart. Thank you for sharing this memory!
Thanks so much! It’s nice to have a treasure like this in our family and I know Mom would have been happy I shared the rocker’s history. ♥
I hope your future grandchildren do rock in this lovely family heirloom, what a lovely little chair to still own today! 🙂 I always feel those personal things made by our parents or ancestors even further back are the most valuable of all. I have a photo of my older brother (now 53!) in his little blue baby chair that dad made for him, such a lovely picture to have, but the chair, (and dad) sadly long gone. But my brother did manage to find room in his small home for a solid beech coffee table that our dad made, quite a stunning piece of work, all with his own hands, and shockingly heavy!! It’s tragic when family, especially our mum’s and dad’s pass away and all their precious things go in many directions. You just can’t keep everything can you?! To have something that was once just an idea in their mind, turned to reality, I think is very special indeed. Thanks for your little story about your mum’s little rocker Lauren, I really enjoy reading these history posts! 🙂
Thanks, Suzy, and I’m so sorry to hear about your brother’s chair and your dad not being around anymore. I agree with you; those family homemade heirlooms are most valuable. The coffee table your dad made sounds amazing! We have a couple tables in our home that my husband made, so hopefully, they’ll stay in our family, too. 🙂 It is hard to keep everything, but I think keepsakes like our little chair and photographs are the best memories…I’m so glad you appreciated this story, too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! ♥