More than a "Christmas Wish" Part III

Before...

After...

Note: There isn't usually so much knick-knacky stuff but it is Christmas! :)

Like I said yesterday, this beautiful book case unit didn't just happen. The idea began with a comment by my father and then the thinking and planning went into action. Its hard to imagine this started with a pile of lumber, some of which was unfinished and Dad had to plain prior to the actual cutting and building. Dad first sketched the design and then started to formulize the actual specs to start building. So glad Dad is a visionary and can "see" his designs long before the first piece is cut.

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Once the side pieces were cut to size, Mom joined the party to add roses, leaves, and hearts. With the exception of the four red heart roses inlaid, the rest are sketched, wood burned, and painted by my Mom. Dad said Mom's hearts were more difficult and as you may guess, Mom said Dad's hand carving the wooden hearts and then inlaying them was more difficult. I'm not getting involved in this "discussion", I think both required patience, talent, and time. Great job to you both.

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The hearts are connected with pink, bleeding heart, roses. To incorporate the rose of hope that bloomed in April a couple years ago, and the same rose from the cover of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey.

Mom wood burned and painted roses from the top to bottom at the end of the book shelve and then along the scalloped top. Within the two hearts on the scallop, she wrote "OSJ" to stand for "One Sister's Journey". 

There are twelve separate shelves on the top and then the bottom has two open shelving spaces on the outside with the inner two hidden behind two doors, bearing the same rose as the top and side. In addition to the roses, Mom wood burned my initials, an "L" and "B", for each door. Within the doors is a special note from them to me, one that will remain private and ever so precious.

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I tried to capture the beauty and love of this beautiful and special book shelf unit yet regardless of which camera I used, none seem to do it justice.

An aspect you may not realize about this amazing gift is the gift within the heart. In 1994, my parents joy and desire to create, build, and share their talents with others slowly decreased. When you lack joy, it zaps the joy out of you. Thankfully, with time and prayer ~ the hope, joy, and love to share their talents with others has returned. A blessing many have received this year. A gift that keeps on giving.

Yes, I LOVE my shelf because it's beautiful, functional, and made just for me BUT the thing that brings tears to my eyes the most is the healing that continues to take place in my parents heart in the days, weeks, months, and years after Heidi's kidnapping as we wait.

We wait and wonder, "Will we know this side of heaven where our sweet and wonderful Heidi is?" Thankfully, as we wait, we move forward in hope and covered in prayer. One day, and sometimes one moment, at a time. I pray you can do the same.

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Thank you Mom and Dad! Your love greets me many times a day and to see Heidi's heart while sitting at the table...a joy!