A Treasured Heirloom

Welcome to the 239th Metamorphosis Monday!

Recently True Value asked if I would share a story about an “heirloom” piece passed down through my family. Immediately, a special chair came to mind. It’s an heirloom piece that played an important part in our everyday life for many years, starting when we moved into our first home, a yellow cottage in a small Alabama town where my husband was stationed on active duty with the Army.

Yellow Cottage_wm

 

This little house was where we were living when our son was born in 1983.  Since I wouldn’t let the doctors tell me if we were having a boy or a girl, I went with a yellow color scheme for the nursery.

Canopy Bed in Nursery

 

The nursery was still under construction and was half office and half nursery in the photo below.  I’m busy cutting out the pattern and fabric for the table cloth, curtains and pillows I would be sewing to coordinate with the bedding.

Sewing for the Nursery

 

Four years before, my mom had passed away while I was a senior in college. At that time I inherited a rocking chair she often sat in while embroidering and crocheting. I purchased additional fabric to have the seat covered to coordinate with the nursery bedding. It’s hard to see in this old photo, but the yellow fabric was covered in little white polka-dots. I sewed heart pillows for the chair.

Rocking Chair in Nursery

 

Remember the story of the phoenix rising from the ashes? This chair almost met with disaster during the time I was having it recovered. I had dropped it off at a local upholstery shop a few weeks before and had not heard a peep since. It seemed to be taking a long time to cover one little cushion.

One morning I was sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast and reading the newspaper. I almost dropped my spoon as my eyes fell on an article saying a local upholstery shop had caught fire and burned down. It was the same shop where I had taken my rocking chair! What?!

I immediately called the shop. There was no answer so I left a message on their answering machine. Later, I drove over to the shop and it was clear it was a total loss. A few days later I got a call from the owner of the upholstery shop saying the chair had survived the fire but the seat cushion had suffered significant smoke and water damage. He was building a new seat for the rocker and said it would be ready soon. Finally the call came that the chair was ready. When I picked it up, it looked just as it had before, no smokey smell or damage. I was so relieved!

Rocking Chair in Nursery

 

We moved the chair from the nursery to our bedroom for the first few months since Chip was sleeping in his bassinet here in the bedroom. The picture below was taken the day I came home from the hospital. I was rocking Chip in the rocker when Chalmers, one of our three kitties, hopped up into my lap to check out the new addition to the family.

Just Home

 

Once Chip was old enough to sleep in his crib, we moved the rocker back to the nursery where it was our favorite spot for reading bedtime stories. I loved reading to Chip here, it was one of my favorite times of the day.

Mom Reads a Bedtime Story

 

Everyone headed to the rocker for story time, including Dad.

Dad Reads Bedtime Story

 

I had so much fun looking back through albums to find these special pictures. In the  picture below, Grandpa is reading to Chip and the blanket in his lap is one Grandpa’s sister, Mazie (would that be Chip’s Great Aunt Mazie?) crocheted for Chip before he was born. I still have that blanket. Oh, do these pictures bring back memories!

Grandpa Reads a Bedtime Story

 

Even as Chip grew older and was becoming almost too big for laps, we always headed for the rocking chair when it was time for bed.

Bedtime Story

 

Sometimes Chip and Garfield climbed up into the rocker to read all by themselves.

Reading with Garfield

 

When Chip became too big to sit in Mom or Dad’s lap for reading time (sniff, sniff) I moved the rocker to the master bedroom and had the cushion covered in fabric that matched the wallpaper in that room.

Floral Cushion (2)

 

You can just see the wallpaper above Chip’s head as he sits rocking with his bunny, Phineas and hamster, Ralph.  It really is amazing how many memories one little chair can hold.

Furry Friends 2

 

Today, the rocker  is still covered in the same floral fabric, though the wallpaper has long since been removed.

Heirloom Rocking Chair

 

Very soon this chair will be going to another home where it will be needed to rock another sweet baby.

Heirloom Rocking Chair 2

 

Chip and Nancy are expecting a little one of their own.  Just think of all the wonderful new memories this rocker will soon hold!

Family

 

Your Special Heirloom Piece

Do you have a special piece that’s been passed down through your family, one that carries beautiful memories so precious they should never be forgotten?  I would love to hear about your special heirloom, be it big or small.

Please watch this beautiful video and leave a comment sharing the story behind the special piece that’s been cherished and passed down in your family. Looking forward to hearing about your treasured heirloom!

I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Looking forward to all the Before and Afters for this Met Monday!

Metamorphosis Monday:

One on sidebar

 

Update: Recently, I made a change in how links will display for Metamorphosis Monday. Each time you visit, the links will rotate and display randomly. This ensures all participants will have a chance to have their link displayed at or near the top. You’ll easily be able to tell which links you’ve already visited since the links will change color, once clicked.

If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday you will need to link up the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz.

In order to link up, you’ll need to include a link in your MM post back to the party so the other participants will have an opportunity to receive visits from your wonderful blog readers.

Please observe these few rules:

Only link up Before and After posts that are home, gardening, crafting, painting, sewing, cooking, DIY related.

Do not link up if you’re doing so to promote a website or product.

Do not link up a post that was just linked last week since a lot of readers will have already seen that post.

Do not type in ALL CAPS. It spreads the links waaaay out.



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Comments

  1. What a lovely post! Congratulations! Being a grandma is the best!

  2. What a sweet post, Susan! I got a little teary-eyed just thinking about all the memories that chair holds from over the years and how wonderful it is that you get to keep passing it down to your future grandchildren. Thanks so much for hosting this party each week.
    Blessings,
    Nici

  3. What a beautiful rocking chair, Susan! I have my maternal great grandmother’s oak Mission style rocker (most often used on porches at the time) in our den. It’s been with us for over 20 years now. Just love the old rocking chairs!
    Allison
    Atticmag

  4. What a great story! Thank you for sharing. Congratulations to you all! That’s great news about Chip and Nancy. My father was huge into home movies when my sister and brother and I were young. You know those home movies and the Super 8. He had reels and reels of film. It was always so much fun when he took out the projector and screen. We eventually had them all transferred onto DVD and my brother has recently built a theatre room in his home and used the small reels as doorknobs and is using the projector as an accessory.

  5. Congratulations on the new addition to your family. Being a grandmother is absolutely the best thing ever!! I love it. I have a 13 year old granddaughter that is the light of my life.

  6. What a sweet, wonderful story! I know that your son and his wife will build just as many special memories with that chair as you have…thanks for sharing.

  7. What a beautiful and inspirational story! The last picture of your grown up son and wife made me gasp. Time flies by so fast. I’m sure this special chair will survive many many more metamorphosis and generations to come. Sadly, I don’t have a family piece with a generational story:(

  8. I enjoyed reading such beautiful story! So many memories were created and will come with this lovely chair. Congratulations!

  9. So very sweet…

  10. Hi Susan! I linked up early, this time. Thanks for hosting and thanks for the beautiful story on your rocker. It brought tears to my eyes. It is so nice that so many of us have things to pass down. I have a few small items from both grandmothers that mean a lot to me.

  11. Oh I just loved this blog today! The very first antique I ever purchased was a rocking chair when I was pregnant with
    my first daughter. I rocked and rocked both of my children in that chair until their feet were actually touching the floor. My daughter is now married and has two boys, 7 and 2 and it is still being used in her house with her children today. I passed it on to her and I hope that one day she’ll be passing it on to one of her children. So, many memories you just stirred up girl!

  12. Susan, what a beautiful post! I love the story of the rocker, and I loved seeing pictures of you and your young family. (You were adorable!) This was sort of like memory lane for me too. Our daughter was born before ultrasounds, so we didn’t know the sex. I decorated her room in yellows and whites, and I made yellow polka dot curtains for her windows (and of course, I still have her cross stitched blanket -made by my sister- that was on the crib). Our home is so filled with heirlooms, I’d have a hard time picking just one. In my post today, I did share the loveseat where I was sitting when my husband proposed to me! Enjoyed your post so much, and thanks for hosting. laurie

  13. Trying to get back in the swing of things at Met Monday, this morning. I love your chair story! It’s wonderful you have the photos to go with the memories.

    I like your random link addition. I participate in another event that has this. Great idea!

  14. Susan,
    I loved hearing the story of your family heirloom!!!
    . . .And to think, it will soon, again be used for rocking a baby. . .a grand baby!!!
    Interestingly enough, I have the rocker that was passed down from “Mr. Ed’s”
    Mother to me when our first son was born. At one time, it was a beautiful wood tone.
    During our Military years, Mary “kept” it for us so that it wouldn’t be destroyed.
    At some point and time, she painted it canary yellow!
    This month’s “Honey~Do” list has the rocker for beginning restoration to the original.
    I’ll keep you updated on its progress!!!
    Thank you for sharing this amazing rocker’s story. . .
    and for hosting each week!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

  15. I can completely relate to your story. Your nursery looks so similar to the one I had. My daughter was born in Dec. 1983 and my husband’s name is Chip! Congrats on becoming a grandma soon! We are still waiting for that first grandchild – hopefully soon. Lovely post!

  16. They will treasure the rocker!
    Thanks for hosting every Monday.
    Much appreciation,
    Deb

  17. Rattlebridge Farm says

    I loved reading about the history of your rocking chair–and the photos are heartwarming. Congratulations to Chip and his wife–and to you!–about the visit from the stork.

  18. What a special rocking chair! Thanks for the party! Life to the full! Melissa

  19. Such a sweet post….Love the timeline pics of your beautiful son….and how he will get to rock his own baby soon. I almost got a little teary too…lol

    Thanks for hosting a great link party
    XO,
    Christine

  20. What a beautiful rocking chair and priceless memories too! I enjoyed those sweet photos of your family!It is so fun to look back.Although sometimes I cannot look back at photos like that of my daughter with out shedding a tear….where do the years go?Thanks so much for hosting!
    xx
    Anne

  21. What a bittersweet post! Congratulations on the wonderful news! You must be overwhelmed with joy! Can’t wait to see your new grandbaby!

  22. I’m loving your fabulous chair and all the years you’ve spent together. Thanks for having all of us over!

  23. Oh, Susan! This is so sweet! What a handsome little boy, ‘course he ain’t so little anymore~~and now a new baby coming, you lucky thing! Love the rocking chair btw. What memories~~I have an old platform rocker that was my grandmother’s. It is almost an antique. You have to be careful or it will tump over backwards with you. Mother recovered it with fabric that looks embroidered but isn’t. She did a good job.

    Was it Ft. Rucker that your hubby was stationed at? Just wondering, that’s about 7 miles from me.

    • Thanks, Denise. No, he grew up way too fast. We were stationed at Fort. McClellan in Anniston. The little yellow house we built while there was actually in Jacksonville, just a few minutes up the road. Such a pretty area with the mountains all around. Wonder how far Fort Rucker is from Fort McClellan? I love the old platform rockers. I know you treasure it! 🙂

      • Looks like that’s about 200 miles away, more or less. And up Nawth (North). We’re not too far from the Florida line. Less than 100 miles from the beach as the crow flies (or pelican, heehee). I’ve heard Anniston is pretty, though I’ve never been. LOVE the mountains, maybe the hubs and I can go sometime, if we ever get the kitchen and dining room finished. Ahem. Back to work~~gotta paint the corbels for the island!

  24. What a great memory..the photos are wonderful..you have a lovely family..bet that baby won’t be spoiled any ;^)
    look forward to hearing if it’s a boy or girl…with photo proof….

    hope you have a great week..the weather is just amazing here..hope when I say that this winter it’s not because of all the snow..which I do LOVE but not when it gets really deep..or even worse when it rains on the tail end..we rarely get snow here on the shore..between the bay and the Choptank river we seem to get stuck with rain more often..hate that!!

  25. Mary from Virginia says

    OH MY! I am so excited for you. I was hoping that the chair was going to Chip and Nancy for that very reason! I think I might cry. Are they sharing if the baby is a boy or a girl?

    i have several pieces that are pretty special to me. I still have my rocker from when I had my children, although it wasn’t an antique. We purchased it at Leggett Department store (now Belk) I remember sitting in it at the store-being very pregnant and several older ladies-probably my age now looked over and smiled. They were talking about how sweet it was that we were buying a rocker.

    I could make a list of things I have but it would be too long for your blog, but I am lucky to have a fireside chair that belonged to my 3rd great grandparents.

    Best wishes to you and your growing family! Can’t wait to see the new fabric! I hope they love the chair as much as you.

    • Thanks, Mary! I don’t think they have decided on that, yet…knowing if it’s a boy or a girl. I’m not sure how old this rocker is. I’ve seen pics of my Mom rocking me in a rocker but I think those must be at my sister’s home since I couldn’t find them to see if it was the same rocker. So it could be pretty old, just not sure. Love the story about you in the rocker and the ladies near by. That is so sweet! You have to try them out, don’t you…because they get used a lot and for a long, long time, sometimes for generations! 🙂

  26. I can hardly type this….that was the “happiest ever after” ever! franki

  27. What a lovely story. Congrats on the new baby. Can’t wait to hear stories about him or her. Your are so cute and you look like you are about 15, but you only look about 30 now so you will be a very young looking grandmother.

    Thanks for hosting.

    • Awww, thanks Madonna! lol I was 26 when Chip was born. We had been married 5 years by that point. I wish I could turn back the clock and relive those baby years, just for a little while. 🙂

  28. Wow – did this post bring back memories of my own – I used the identical floral fabric that is currently on your seat cover for curtain panels in my formal dining room in a previous home nearly 15 years ago (it was a Victorian, just outside of Boston)! The curtain panels and coordinating cornices moved with us and were used in what is now our son’s room before he was born, when that room was a second guest room. (When we found out we were having a boy, I changed out the cornices and panels for a more masculine plaid fabric.) Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

  29. Oh, Susan! How Wonderful!! How exciting; a grand baby is coming!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story and chair and of course the joyful news! Thanks for hosting as well. Have a happy week. I’m sure that won’t be too hard to do with the thought of your baby having a baby! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

  30. Hi, Susan: What a wonderful story. How fortunate that you had pictures for illustration! Perfect! I’m a genealogist, preparing a book of my maternal side of the family. Maybe some of our family members have stories like this one to share. It would be great to include them in our book. I became a great-grandmother for the 3rd time three days ago (Yaaah!) . Grandchildren are amazing, and so are greats! Congratulations!!

  31. pam ~ crumpety cottage says

    Congrats to Chip and Nancy! What wonderful news and how lovely you will be sending them ‘the reading rocker,’ for their own little one. It brought a tear to my eye. And congrats to you on your pending Grandma status. 😉 I can’t wait to be a grandma, myself! Can I borrow yours for an hour or two, lol?

    Susan, I think we had the same crib for our sons! Another uncanny similarity.

    I wish I could say we have things handed down like your lovely rocker, but my family wasn’t like that, unfortunately. It starts with our generation, and our son will have lots of great things passed on to him. You have to start somewhere, right?

    Lovely story, Susan. I love all the pictures from over the years. 🙂

  32. I really enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane with you!! Chip was so cute! Hard to believe he’s going to be a dad, right? That rocker will have many more memories to share for years to come! 🙂

  33. Wow Susan, that’s quite a story about the chair and the upholsterer! Thank goodness it survived! I love your story about the chair and the early years with Chip. Congratulations on the news about Chip and Nancy! That is so sweet that the chair will carry on in his life once more!

  34. What a wonderful tale Susan, such a happy chair! Congrats on your new grandchild!
    Jenna

  35. Hi Susan! Lovely story and you looked so beautiful holding Chip! They grow so fast! Congratulations on the new addition to the family, he/she will soon be creating new memories on the rocking chair!

  36. Susan.. What a lovely milestone for your family… a baby GA Bulldog fan! My 1983 baby boy will be 30 tomorrow. His nursery was yellow, too. Your post brought back so many sweet memories. Before Cliff was born, I found a box of quilt scraps that my mama had back in the 1940s or so. She put together enough Little Dutch Boys and Girls for a quilt. However, she never used them. It just seemed like providence that I would find these during my pregnancy after losing both she and Daddy in 1981. I put together a pretty little quilt for his baby bed and now when he and his sweet wife, Gwendolyn, have a little one, it will be passed on. Congratulations and many blessings to your family… Susan, South of Macon

    • Susan, the quilt so sounds special. Love that you found it when you did…was truly meant to be! 🙂 They will cherish the quilt you made for his bed, too…so special that you have it to pass down to their little one some day.

  37. Oh, Susan – LOVED this story – I have heirloom pieces that belonged to my family – I think rocking chairs are the best – congratulations on the baby! The stories this chair can tell! Beautiful post – I am delighted to join your party – I appreciate you hosting,
    Kathy

  38. Oh how exciting! You are going to be a grandmother!!! SQUEEL! I loved this post about your rocker and how it will get passed along to your son. I have my grandmother’s pie safe and I really should do a post about it!

  39. Rosie Moreno says

    Oh, Susan, CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a beautiful, meaningful post today. I am so happy for you. Being a mom is one thing, but I cannot explain the depth of happiness that being a grandma will be for you. We purchased a new dining room table about 10 years ago, and we were “empty nesters” by then. When we had our first holiday dinner once grandbabies started arriving (we now have 7, and counting), our grandson once started tapping on the table with a spoon, and my husband went to stop him. I said, “Let him tap; those little marks will be big memories some day of the life that was around this table.” That touching video confirmed my decision to stand by those words.

    • Rosie, I love that! I remember years ago I found some water droplets on our entry table. They were from a certain little boy named Chip running through the house chasing a friend while they battled it out with with water pistols. I wiped away the droplets and spots remained. At the time it upset me to see the water spots since the table had been a bit of splurge and one of the most expensive pieces I had ever bought for the house. But then I thought, one day when he’s grown, I’ll look at those water spots and remember a happy little boy who loved life and loved running and playing. I would not have those spots removed or sanded out for anything! So I totally get how you cherish those little marks.

  40. Hi Susan! What sweet little memories that go along with your chair. Love seeing the little young you and your family through the years! 🙂
    Be a sweetie and thanks for hosting your party.
    Shelia 😉

  41. Oh, how I love this story and all the beautiful pics!!! Congrats on your future grandmother-hood!!! You’re probably not toooooooo excited!!! Thanks for sharing……….

  42. What a beautiful story of your rocker…and I believe there was some divine intervention going on during that fire…the rocker was saved for a purpose…for future generations to enjoy as much as you have…Congrats to your son and daughter-in-law…you all must be so excited!!….and I loved seeing the great pics of you and your family!!

  43. Such a sweet post and brought back memories of my son (now 29) Of course there had to be a pair of osh kosh overalls in any childhood of the 80s!

  44. Peggy Thal says

    Such a sweet story ! Your family is just darling too. I didn’t know you were an Army wife- I am one too but my husband has been retired a long time and working in D.C . Also, West Point class of 1968. Loved the photo’s of you as a new Momma. So young and pretty! Excited for you on your new grandchild. We are getting one in November from my son and daughter in law -a girl. Also, have a 4 yr old boy from my daughter and son in law. Being a grandma is the best!

  45. Congratulations to you all, how exciting! We have so many family pieces in our home and they are the most special for sure. Can’t wait for our daughter (got married this past September) to give us news of a “bun in the oven,” it will be a joy passing some family treasures on to the next generation!
    Thanks for hosting Susan!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

  46. Hi Susan!
    Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful story about your mother’s rockin chair and the pictures are so beautiful, Susan. Looking at you, your dad and your husband, all around Little Chip, who is married now…to a pretty girl that looks like you, wow, I simply loved it! Pictures that brings us memories are the best! I don’t have anything in particular, except from my in laws, as mother is still alive, but maybe my French dishes she gave me long ago cause mother made many invitations with them when I was Young in NY. Thank you for hosting this great party. Have a lovely week.
    FABBY
    FABBY

  47. I just loved reading about your family. You are blessed to have such a family. Chip was a ”cutie” for sure. We only have the one son too. He and his wife have our two grandchildren, they are wonderful!!!! There is nothing like grandchildren. You know you love your son but just wait till you hold that first little bundle in your arms. Your heart will be pounding, and you will be so proud. Does it show that I love being a grandmother? Enjoy every moment they grow up way too fast. Mine our 9 and 11 years. Where did the time go?

  48. Linda Page says

    You’re gonna be a grandma! You’re gonna be a grandma! It made me cry when I read that Nancy and Chip are having a baby. I am so excited for them and for YOU! You’re gonna be a GRANDMA!!!!! This is just wonderful. I am very envious because I will never be a grandma. Isn’t it wonderful to have something special to hand down to the next generation and all of the memories attached to it. I am sure Chip and Nancy will treasure the rocker and one day they will pass it on to their child as they await a grandchild. Unfortunately, I did not inherit any furniture from either of my set of grandparents but I did get some personal items. One item is a quilt that my grandmother, Mama Carlisle (my mom’s mother), made by hand using pieces from blouses, skirts and shirts worn by my mom and her 4 brothers/sisters. My mom can points to the different pieces of material and tell if it was from a blouse of hers or a skirt from one of her sisters, etc. All of the material is from the early to mid 1920’s. I would never give up this quilt and it will go to my son eventually. Since he does not have children, it will probably go to one of my cousins on the Carlisle family side eventually. I never would have guessed you to be 26 when you had Chip because you looked about 14!!!! You were so cute! Well, you still are! And speaking of treasured heirlooms, my mother turned 97 on August 17. She is my best treasured heirloon!!!

  49. We have a gorgeous mission style rocker that my husband’s grandfather, who owned a sawmill in Sherwood, Oregon, hand built sometime in the 1920s.

  50. Beautiful post! Was your husband stationed at McClellan?

    Congratulations on becoming a grandma soon — I know you must be beyond excited! You were such a pretty new mother yourself.

  51. Hi Susan,
    First of all, Congratulations! I know you all are very, very excited! You’ll have to keep us posted!!!!
    I love this rocker…and yes, I have a lot of very special treasured items in my home. They indeed hold very special memories!!!
    As always, thanks for hosting this party, it’s always so much fun and inspirational!
    Sharlotte

  52. Susan, what a great, no, wonderful post. Congrats of the new little one to arrive soon. I am sure his mother will appreciate your precious old rocker. Thank you for sharing.

  53. That was such a post! I have a ring that I have seen on my great-grandma’s finger when I was a little girl, then on my grandma’s finger, then on my mother’s… And she gave it to me last year, it makes me smile every time I see it on my finger.

  54. What a wonderful story and Congratulations too! I am fortunate to have many heirlooms in my house-from my Grandmother’s rocker that I was rocked in as well as my children and grandchildren to the pine drop leaf kitchen table I grew up eating on. My two favorites though are clothes-a baby dress that my grandmother made for me and the sweetest little boy suit with a hand embroidered duck on it that my husband’s Mother made for him. My son wore it as well as did the first grandson. My daughter has it now and I am hoping it will be passed on as well.

  55. Thank you so much for sharing that sweet story. We must have had our babies around the same time because some of the pictures in the babies room reminded me of the way I decorated our nursery. My husband was in college and we were living in a small house trailer with not much money, but I managed to sew some curtains and make it pretty. We had two beautiful little girls back in the 70’s. Now we are so happy with four grandchildren, a 15 year old granddaughter, three more boys, 13, 10, and 6. Your post this morning brought some all of those wonderful memories of when our girls were little and we were just starting off with our little family. Again, thank you for sharing your story and may God bless this new baby coming into your family.

  56. Leah Turner says

    Love your blog! Such a sweeet commercial too. I have a rocker that my grandmother’s uncle made that she rocked in when she was little, my mom was rocked in, then me, then my daughter and now both my grandsons. I have it in the guestroom upstairs and often sit in it and rock when I need my grandmother, who passed 4 years ago. It give me a great sense of grounding. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.

    • Thanks, Leah! I loved hearing about your rocker with so many memories. Furniture was built so well back then, meant to last through the generations. So glad we can pass them on down to our children.

  57. Marilyn in Mt. Vernon, VA says

    What a lovely story. I enjoyed it so much and loved looking at the accompanying photos. Sweet, sweet, sweet. And, you, Miss Susan, don’t look much different now.

  58. Congrats on becoming a Granny To Be! Your chair is lovely and will continue to hold special memories!

  59. Susan, the heartiest of Congratulations to you and Chip and his wife. How lovely, you will soon be a grandmother. There is nothing like it, special bonds are formed with grandchildren.
    I loved the story of the rocker, it was so touching and Susan, you still look the same as you did then.
    I do not have any furniture from childhood, as we moved to Canada from England many years ago, but I do have other items i.e. my Grandmother’s wedding ring, which was passed to my mother and then to me and now to my youngest daughter. Also I have a special brooch my mother always wore, a clock and a tea service. They were all saved for me by my brother.
    You will have great joy in shopping for the new baby and all the stages when they are growing from toys to electronic items. I have four grandchildren, the youngest girl will be seventeen this week and the eldest boy is a deep sea diving instructor in Cambodia. Treasure every moment, as it seems like yesterday when I was pushing him around town in a buggy and dropping into our favourite place for a treat.
    I get really nostalgic looking at old photos. *sigh*

    • Susan this song came to mind when discussing this: Turn around and you are two:

      Where are you going, my little one, little one,
      Where are you going, my baby, my own?
      Turn around and you’re two,
      Turn around and you’re four,
      Turn around and you’re a young girl going out of my door.
      Turn around, turn around,
      Turn around and you’re a young girl going out of my door.

      Where are you going, my little one, little one,
      Little dirndls and petticoats, where have you gone?2
      Turn around and you’re tiny,
      Turn around and you’re grown,
      Turn around and you’re a young wife with babes of your own.
      Turn around, turn around,
      Turn around and you’re a young wife with babes of your own.

  60. Fabulous story, what a treasure!
    Karee

  61. Oh, Susan, what wonderful news! Congratulations on the new baby coming! You know no joy like the joy of having your child have a child for you to hold and love. I’m so happy for you! And this is such a sweet post! One of my treasured possessions is an old wicker rocker I bought from my in-laws’ neighbor when I was pregnant with my first child. And what a thrill it was to sit there and rock his baby for the first time–it’s still a thrill. In fact, the two older ones know the story, and we talk about one of the 3 of them having it for their babies someday. Rockers are wonderful heirloom pieces, because they usually have to do with babies. 🙂 Your pictures are precious. ~Zuni

  62. Molly Tilson says

    Congratulations on your grandchild! It is a wonderful thing to be a grandmother! I loved your post today. What a sweet story that rocker holds! I have several pieces of furniture handed down from my great grandmothers. We have
    a family cradle that is my personal favorite. My mother and father waited anxiously for another child after my brother was born. Several miscarries and contemplation of adoption, then I arrive 17 years later! My father purchased an antique reproduction cherry cradle for my birth. The spindles and posts are beautiful. It is a large cradle, about the size of a pack and play portable crib. It has been shared with my family members and close friends. Each child’s name is written on the board that holds the mattress with their birth date….Starting with mine and the latest additions of names are my two grandchildren!

  63. What a fab party, my friend~ Thanks loads for hosting…. 🙂
    Have a lovely Monday!!
    Rockers rock!!
    hugs x Crystelle

  64. Oh such a sweet story. And so happy for you!!! You have made my day. You will become one of us that really act a fool over their grandchild. Sharon

    “When a child is born…
    so are grandmothers”
    -Judith Levy

  65. So glad that your rocker survived the fire. Love the fabric on the seat. In fact, the fabric on your chair is very much like the fabric of my drapes in my new bedroom in Texas. Thanks for hosting Susan!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

  66. Sweet, Sweet story & congratulations on your soon to be new grandchild! No matter how wonderful you think having a grandchild will be, it will be even better!

  67. OMG! I missed so many beautiful and important post while I am having my summer hibernation. CONGRATS, dear Susan. What a lucky lady you are. I feel so blessed to met you although thru blogging. Sharing the happy moment, sadness the life happiest, new thing for home etc etc… is the best thing I know in your blog. It feels I am so welcome of you.
    Happy days and shower the blessings.

    Hugs from the Box.
    /CC girl

  68. Congratulations Susan to you and your family! Such an exciting time. Thanks for sharing your story…it’s great that you had so many pictures to recall all of those wonderful memories. I have two daughters that are 26 and 22 and when I look at their childhood pictures it amazes me how quickly time has passed.

    Thanks for hosting the party!
    Kristi

  69. How blessed your family is to have a chair that can be passed down to the next generation like this carrying on a wonderful tradition! It’s a beautiful chair. But…congratulations on the new addition to your family!! Exciting and blessed times are ahead. What joy!!

  70. Congratulations, Susan!! We have three grandsons (3-1/2, 1 yr today!, & 9 mos) Being Nana is the greatest joy of my life. I cannot adequately put into words what a delight these 3 precious little boys are to me and their “Gompa”!! So happy that you will be able to enjoy this wonderful blessing, as well.
    I have a few treasured pieces in our home that have lovely stories and legacy attached to them–one of my favorites, is a small walnut stool that I have in our guest room. On top of it, lies a small, yellowed photo book, that is opened to a photo of me(age 16 mos) in a beautiful pink frilly dress, very daintily taking a bite out of my grandmother’s birthday cake! 🙂

  71. This is my favorite post ever! I loved how you composed it and revealed the wonderful surprise. Congratulations!

  72. OMG, Susan!
    That’s what I call good news!
    Congrats, my dear friend, on your first grandchild!
    Finally I have internet access at the home I rented at the beach (actually there was internet access all the time
    but I didn’t have the “key word” for google until today! Argh…!), so a lot to catch up for me… 🙂
    Susan, although I’m enjoying the beach very much (lots of sunshine, here 🙂 ), I’ve been thinking of you
    every day and I’ve missed your blog so bad, so today I’ve really enjoyed seeing all your beautiful pictures,
    especially those precious ones in this post!
    So cute, Susan… you looked so cute and so young (You still do!) while pregnant and Chip is such a
    good-looking guy! Also is your hubby! 🙂 I’m happy and excited for you, simultaneously!
    Congrats to Chip and Nancy, too!
    ~Hugs to you~
    Cecilia
    P.S. Susan, since there’s just one “mistery chair” beside the bed in your previous post I thought, it could be there for placing … Madame’s negligee on it, when no needed … 😉

    • Cecilia, you are so funny! I don’t think anyone suggested that for the mystery chair in that previous post! Now we know its real purpose. lol I’m glad you got that internet working! I wish I was on vaca right now…I’m long overdue one! I think all my vacation budget is in my yard!

  73. I was so touched by your beautiful story and the pictures showing what a lovely young mother you were. Thank you for sharing.
    Joanie

  74. Susan, thank you so much for sharing this sweet story. I love all of your posts but this one was special! I recently found out that I am about to also be a first time grandmother. Today we found out its TWINS!!! I can hardly believe it. I am praying so hard for healthy babies and mother. I will also be praying for your grandbaby as well. Congratulations!!!!!!

  75. What a neat story of your family chair! I have a rocking chair in my living room that has held 2 generations of babies now. Maybe/hopefully it will make it for a 3rd generation as well.
    Thanks so much for hosting.
    KC

  76. What a sweet story, Susan! You are gonna LOVE being a grandma! 🙂 Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

  77. Susan, what a beautiful story….Congratulations on becoming a Grandma!!! My son was born in 1980 while my husband and I were stationed in a small town in SC with the Air Force. I had same haircut as you!
    I was able to get the tri-fold vanity that my paternal grandmother had. She was a nurse and I remember growing up seeing her hat and stethoscope hanging over the side mirrors. I would play with her big bauble clip on earrings and necklaces. She kept body powder with a big puff in the top left drawer. When she past away that was really the only thing I wanted, other than her; so my mom was able to get it for me when the family started dividing up the personal belongings. Then the vanity sat in my parents basement for 3 years before we could get back from our assignment to get it and bring to AL with us, where we retired…when I opened the drawer to clean the vanity up and get it ready to use in my own room, the smell of that powder was still there and I suddenly saw myself as a little girl looking into the full length mirror center section.

    • Sorry Susan, hit send to soon, normally my comments won’t go through since I do not have a blog address..
      Congrats again on the grandbaby!!!! We have a 2 year old grand-daughter and it is the best thing in the world.

      Vanessa

    • Vanessa, I love that story. It’s amazing how a scent can immediately transport us back to another time and place. I know it must have brought tears to your eyes, I would have been bawling. I’m so glad you have the vanity…truly a special piece, made special by the person who once used it. ♥

  78. Susan,
    I had the same wallpaper as you had your rocker cushion. Mine was in my 1/2 bath, lower level in my former home. Loved that and I think I have a remanent of it in a drawer here somewhere, enough for a pillow.

  79. What great news Susan! So happy you are about to become a grandmother. Life as you know it will never be the same again. 🙂 Vikki in VA

  80. What a beautiful post Susan. Such sweet memories. And congratulations! My own Mom passed away in 1979 as well. She had a ring that I wore for a while, and I have since passed it down to my daughter. I’m glad that I had something to give my daughter, as my Mom passed away before we had children. Thanks for all the great pictures. I’m sure Chip will enjoy seeing them too 🙂

  81. Susan, this is such a beautiful story of your treasured chair! I have a chair very similar to yours that my mom rocked me in when I was born, and I rocked my babies in also. My oldest daughter is a newlywed and already has her eye on that chair for when her first baby comes along!

    Jeanette

  82. What a great heirloom you have to hand down. 🙂 I have a rocker that is special as well, although it wasn’t my grandparents “belonging” it is one that my grandfather recaned, so I feel it is special since he has passed away now. My husband had a fun heirloom: a little trinket box full of his grandfather’s treasures: pictures of his grandmother as a teenager, letters to and from her, his old pipe. It is fun to look through. 🙂
    Thanks for the fun and for a great blog party!

  83. Congratulations Susan! I am a new grandmother too. Elias is 5 months old and a joy in my life. My daughter married a little before your son did in 2012. Our little heirloom is a child’s rocker that belonged to my husband. It was so worn, that when my father-in-law brought it down from the attic, the seat was practically gone. My mother-in-law had a new straw seat put in and gave it to my daughter when she was still a baby. It currently sits in our family room waiting for Elias. This little red chair was my husbands from the time he was about one. He will be 65 in November.

  84. Susan, what a beautiful post that brought me to tears! Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother!! I am overjoyed at your happy news and know that many memorable times and special moments will be made in that beautiful rocking chair. May the next generation love and treasure your wonderful chair as much as you have!

    Pat F.
    Las Vegas

  85. I just love all your pictures of you reading to your son on your rocking chair, what wonderful memories. I have been going through my parents home getting it ready to sale, our family home for 55 years. So many happy memories. I want to keep everything, so hard letting go. One thing that stands out is my mothers cedar chest. My sister and I would spend hours looking through it and asking my mom about everything in it. Now opening it up and remembering the fun we had, such tender memories. I know I need to share the things that are in there, but I thought it would be fun to keep it just the way it always was and let my sister and brother come over to my houses and look at it any time they want. Don’t know if they will go for that, just a thought.

  86. Susan, I love to read your blog ~ just recently retired from teaching, you’ve supplied me with many ideas! I have to get crackin’! In regards to this post, since I also am the mom of an only son, I wanted to share the message on one of my favorite D. Morgan plaques: “I remember when you were my little boy, an extension of my very being. My every waking moment belonged to you. One evening when I called you to supper, you came to the table all grown-up. Where did all the in-between go? Suddenly, I was to let you go ~ now I should always call you my son, but in my heart…you will always be…my little boy.” Pass the kleenx 🙂

  87. A beautiful story, thanks for sharing. Congrats on becoming a Grandma, there’s nothing like it.
    Sandy

  88. Susan, the best part of your life is just beginning! Congratulations!

  89. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so happy for you that you are going to be a GRANDMA!! I loved hearing the story of your rocker and seeing the wonderful pictures of you and your son!

  90. I was reading this post and couldn’t help but think how fabulous it is that you not only had pictures taken of you, your son and his grandpa in this chair, but that you have preserved them and found them! I can picture you going through photos, reliving the memories. It’s something I’ve done and someday hope to actually put them in some semblance of order.

    Congratulations on becoming a grandma! Grandchildren are wonderful!

    For me, it’s my grandmother’s sewing machine that is from the late 20’s early 30’s I believe. I wrote a post about it called ‘a life not forgotten’ (it’s in my sidebar). This past weekend I went to a tag sale and was drawn to a vintage suitcase . When I went to pick it up it was heavy, and I learned that there was a sewing machine inside that was from 1956.

    Three dollars poorer it came home with me and as I was cleaning it I thought about the woman who owned it and spent many hours on that machine. I wondered what her life was like, who she was, would I have liked her? I’m weird like that. I sometimes go to old cemeteries and do the same thing.

    Beautiful post!

    • Doreen, I have albums and albums…probably 15 at least, filled with photos of Chip through the years. A few years ago I spent several months on the floor of my dressing area, sorting through boxes of pictures that had never made it into albums. I worked on it every day after work. It was exhausting because I was trying to put them in chronological order and was having to guess Chip’s age in all the pics. I managed to get almost all of them into an album…took forever. Unfortunately some of the earlier photos are not holding their color well at all. I need to take all the videos that are on VHS and have them put on DVDs before it’s too late.
      I always wonder the same thing when I buy something vintage or old…wonder about it’s previous life and who owned it, what they were like. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could know those things!

  91. Cyndy Cook says

    YAY! 😀 Susan, Congratulations to you and your family on that wonderful news! Maybe it IS time to start looking around for that perfect little cottage in OHIO! The story of your rocking chair though the years brought tears to my eyes! Hope all is well with you!

  92. ok…Who gets teary-eyed over a hardware store commercial??!!! (Me)
    I feel the same way about my rocking chair… I bought it from a garage sale when my daughter was born (1982). I was 23 and we didn’t have 2 nickels to rub together!!
    It’s always been in my living room – from house to house – through good times and bad – a fixture, sometimes not even used, but always there. When I remarried and we moved the chair, the spindles along the back came loose. My husband patiently re-glued them all in (not an easy task to get all in their respective holes at the same time!)
    Now, I am rocking my granddaughter in that same chair and remembering when her mama was the baby in my arms….. I’ll never get rid of this much loved and well worn chair!!

  93. as I read, I was secretly hoping that was how it was going to end!!

    congratulations!!

  94. Congratulations on becoming a grandmother soon. I have 2 beautiful and very special grandchildren that I dearly love. I have a christening gown that is almost 100 years old! My mother was born in 1914 and she was Baptized in this gown. I wore the same gown for my Baptism in 1948, my daughter in 1980, my grandson in 2007, and my granddaughter in 2009. I believe that my mom told me someone made it specifically for her and gave it to my grandmother for the Baptism. Hopefully, my grandchildren will carry on the tradition with their children.

  95. Wow, this post brought tears to my eyes …… lovely, Susan.

  96. Oh my goodness, Susan….CONGRATULATIONS to everyone!! Both Chip & Nancy, but especially YOU! You’re gonna be a Grandma!!! I’m soooo excited for you….your life will be changed forever in ways you cannot even imagine right now.
    Mega Hugs & Best Wishes!!!!!
    Rett

  97. Congratulations, Susan, that is such wonderful news! When my son and dil were expecting they brought his little rocker from the guest room and put it in the kitchen and said I would be needing it. Quite a surprise since they had only been married a few months! They were parents on their first anniversary! Now 13 yrs later they have 5!
    You won’t have time to blog once they start coming! I don’t!
    Prayers for a healthy pregnancy and baby.

  98. What a sweet post, Susan. You should print this out and keep it with the chair. Perhaps you slip it into the bottom inside of the cushion. This story needs to travel with the chair. Congratulations on the exciting news.

  99. I have 2 rockers that have been passed down through the family. One is a cherrywood rocker which was my grandparents, my parents, ours and now my daughter has it in her apartment. It brought back sweet memories when you talked about your rocker. I had a stack next to the rocker in our first nursery and would rock Joshua for hours.

    The other rocker is a child’s rocker that has gone through 4 generations of our family and I hope one day we have grandchildren so it can be used by a 5th generation.

  100. Great post. I really enjoyed it. Also congrats on the next chapter, being a grandmother. It’s nice to pass the rocker on to Chip, however it would be nice to have to enjoy reading time with grandbaby when you are babysitting.

  101. Congratulations! You’re going to love being a grandma! It’s such fun. I have a rocking chair – similar to yours – that belonged to my sweetheart’s grandmother. She rocked her babies (my sweetheart’s father) and her grandbabies (my sweetheart) in it. It was given to us when we were first married and we rocked our babies in it. It needs some work and reupholstering. You have inspired me to get it done!
    ~Adrienne~

  102. Congratulations !!! You may wish you had kept that rocker when baby visits. 🙂

  103. Congrats!

    I just became a Gramma for the second time, and I passed the blue baby afghan knitted by my mother-in-law to our first grandson. It was made for his Dad in 1977. I have another waiting for my other son – so special!

  104. My mother has a chair like that, that was her Grandpa’s so would be my Great Grandpa, so I hope to inherited it one day.
    Loved the picture of your Son and his wife, they say sons marry women that look like there Mothers and that is so true here. Both of you are very beautiful women. You are blessed!

  105. Susan, loved your sweet story and pictures about the rocker. How nice that you’re passing it on to the next generation for more memories to be made. Congratulations to you on the upcoming birth of your first grandchild.

  106. Oh Susan, this is a beautiful story of love and memories. I am so glad it survived the fire, it JUST HAD TO! Oh, the stories that chair could tell. You were wise to take and preserve all those photos.
    You are and have always been a beautiful lady. Did anyone ever tell you that you looked like Marie Osmond? She was always a family favorite.
    From one Grandma to another, Congratulations,
    Ginger

    • Thanks, Ginger! I was amazed how many pics I found when I was going back through all the albums. We took a gazillion photos of Chip over the years…proud Mom and Dad we were. Awww, thanks! I have been told that a few times. The other person I’ve occasionally been told I favor is Sally Field. Thanks again! I can’t wait to hold that baby! 🙂 XO

  107. I loved this story – I have a similar heirloom chair from my husband’s family that I used in my son’s room – it was our reading and rocking chair too!

    When I looked at the floral fabric on the seat of the chair, I realized that I used the same fabric (along with its coordinating stripe fabric) for cornices and draperies in the dining room of my first home, more than 20 years ago (I pulled the wall color from the fabric – it was a deep raspberry, and looked great with the 12′ ceilings, white moldings/woodwork and French doors, and traditional cherry wood furniture)! I still have the cornices and curtain panels, carefully wrapped in plastic, in my basement. This was a favorite pattern of mine – I believe it may have been a Waverly fabric, if I recall correctly!

    Best of luck to Chip and Nancy on the birth of their child – I hope that they enjoy using the chair as much as you have!

    • Thanks, Betsy! That post is from several years ago now, so the baby they were expecting then turns 4 years old in about a week. They have a second son now and he will be 2 in June. Time is flying by!
      Waverly always had the prettiest fabrics! Loved those!

  108. I just re-read this story and it brought a tear to my eye, AGAIN! I even found my old comment from nearly 9 years ago. Such a great story, Susan. And btw, your first house in Alabama was adorable!

  109. Thank you for sharing your memories. Lovely post.

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