Love in the Handy Work

I’m not sure what I like most about this photograph. Is it the golden rod colored carpeting with coordinating flowered wallpaper? Is it my Barbie van tucked behind the dining room table? The tree covered with handmade ornaments? The dollhouse made by my Uncle Tom adorned with the furniture chosen by my mom? Or the multiple sets of encyclopedias on the shelf? I don’t know…all bring a smile to my face and memories flooding my mind.

Each year my mom sat ever so patiently with Heidi and me to “make” our annual tree ornaments. When we were little Mom came up with the best crafts with our Christmas ones being our favorite.  From snowmen to snowflakes and as we got older, Santa coming out of the chimney – this one required pushing two little pins on either side of each “brick” to hold it on the Styrofoam chimney. I believe I have one of the most patient mothers, I’m not sure I would do that with my teen more less two elementary age children. I’m thankful she did though – she was the best.

Creativity must run in the family. My Uncle Tom, Mom’s brother used to build nativities and dollhouses (to only name a couple). We loved our doll house so much. First, because it was bigger and had more rooms than any of our friends but mostly because we knew Uncle Tom had put his heart and sweat into it. An expert carpenter building and creating. There were multiple occasions I watched my daughter play and rearrange the furniture in “Mom and Aunt Heidi’s” dollhouse. With tears in my eyes and hope in my heart...the gift keeps giving. One day, I’ll watch my grandchildren play with this same dollhouse. Priceless.  

Do you see the multiple sets of encyclopedias on the bookshelf? I loved to look through them. A treasure lost in the digital age. I could lose myself between the covers for hours – sometimes to visit another country or maybe to learn a new custom. One of my favorite assignments over a break (or anytime, probably, lol) was for a research project. This meant I had a purpose and direction to flip through the entire alphabet. Often I couldn’t find the information I was looking for so I would walk to my Gram’s and Aunt Nancy’s house so I could look through their sets. I loved it. I would take meticulous notes and most were saved until after graduation. Thankfully I purged in the transition from home with my parents to owning my first house with my husband. We would have a room full of “notes”.

One last item is the yellow sled. The sled I believe is still nestled in the rafters of my parent’s garage. Tattered and grungy yet another memory of a childhood of laughter, joy and a family of four. Although Heidi might not be in the photo – it triggers the memories from playing together at the dollhouse to fighting over who would have the bigger bedroom in the upstairs. LOL

Do you have a favorite “homemade” gift you were given at Christmas? Who gave it to you? How old were you? Does the memory bring you joy? Will you share your memory with us today?

Reflect, remember, and share. There is healing waiting to happen…will you let it?

He heals the brokenhearted
   and binds up their wounds. 
He determines the number of the stars
   and calls them each by name.
Psalm 147:3 - 4