Thursday, July 23, 2009

Treasures

When my parents came to visit, they brought a few little goodies for everyone. Mine was my favorite. Here, I'll show you, then tell you the story.

My grandfather loved watching birds out his windows. He used to have this concrete birdbath in his back yard that he had made. I think my mom and my aunt helped, because there were marbles pushed in the concrete all around the edges. I spent many a day splashing in that bird bath.

One time when I was a career professional, you know, before kids, I was on a trip to Washington, D.C., for a conference. I had a little free time, went shopping, and found a quaint little hanging resin bird feeder that was just perfect for my grandpa. Only thing was I had to have the four or five foot pole shipped back because there was no way it was going to fit in any suitcase I had with me. But I bought it and had the whole thing shipped straight to my grandpa. Call me crazy. I know you want to.

One year for my grandpa's birthday, Hubby and I found a painting by a local Missouri artist in a shop attached to the one where we loved to look at the antiques (and actually bought a couple eventually). It was of a cardinal, signed and numbered, and we got it for him. The next year we got another one to go with it, but it isn't signed and numbered.

Fast forward about 20 years, and they have been hanging in the bedroom that served as my grandpa's home office, where he worked on his stamp collection and such. That room stays closed up most of the time now, so my mom talked to my aunt about bringing them to me when they came. She agreed.

As far as I know they have never been taken down from the wall, but when they took them down to dust them off and bring them to me, look what was on the backs.


At some point before he died, my grandpa had taken them down and written my name on the back to make sure I got them. It brought tears to my eyes when my mom flipped them over to show me.

They are now hanging above the chair that is in "Kayren's Hangout" in a prominent place. I didn't have anything else to hang there, so it's like it was just waiting for the right thing. Little did I know...


Hubby is supposed to come sit in this chair when I'm doing my scrapbooking and crafting. Only problem is, we can't agree on what to watch on the tv.

This post is linked to Show and Tell Friday hosted by Kelli at There is no place like home.


26 comments:

Charity said...

Beautiful birds... and what a sweet story. Thanks for sharing!

Betsy Brock said...

What a very sweet story! And how perfect that they are in your home now. :)

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

such a nice post! i like the painting.. precious momentos..

have a great weekend

Hootin Anni said...

My heart just filled with so much joy as I read your 'tell' part. And the 'show' is perfect. I too love cardinals. This is a treasure.

My Show n Tell is all about blue glass. Come join me if you can find time, I'd love your company! And, have a super Friday.

Gee said...

Nice and sweet story. Love the paintings. Thanks for sharing.

Tina Leigh said...

What a cool story!! Those really are special. Thanks for sharing.

A Dose of Joy said...

I love when things so beautiful have such a neat story!

Kelli said...

That is such a sweet story...thank you for sharing it with us! The pictures are lovely!
~Kelli

Love Bears All Things said...

I love the story and the pictures. We did the same thing when we went through my parents household items before selling the house. Anything that we had given them was ours to keep or give to someone else.
Mama Bear

Vanessa said...

Neat & Beautiful!

The Old Parsonage said...

That's so sweet. You story gave me goose bumps. What fond memories you must have.

Please stop by The Old Parsonage anytime.

Enjoy
Leann

California Girl said...

This gentleman just found my blog and I went to one of his three blogs and it is all bird photography and gorgeous stuff.

Link: http://mybirdsblog.blogspot.com/

teachermomof2 said...

What a sweet story! The birds are beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Blessings,
Lisa

Rochelle said...

That totally made my eyes well up with tears!

Elena said...

That is so special! I love bird watching too! My daughter and I were out this morning watching the birds look for bugs in the grass:)

MrsMomma said...

What a sweet story, it brought tears to my eyes when I saw your name written on the back of them. Adorable pictures and they look perfect on your wall.

Thank you for visiting my blog! I hope to 'see' you there again soon :)

i cant decide said...

What a lovely reminder of your grandfather.

Jane said...

How special to have those pictures "looking over your shoulder". I lost my mother this year and the things she made me are so special to me. Thank you for sharing.

Jean said...

what a wonderful story! I'm glad you got your pictures back so you can enjoy them just like your Grandpa did. I love bird things! Jean

Mari said...

I think these are so special too. What a nice remembrance of your Grandpa.

Susan B said...

A lovely story, and beautiful paintings. They certainly are treasures. Thank you for sharing them. Thank you for stopping by to visit me.

Cindy said...

What a wonderful granddaughter he had to think of him. What a nice story.
Cindy

Bonnie said...

Kayren ! This post gave me goosebumps ! What a special relationship you had with your grandpa ! I love it ! And I love that he saved those for you and that you have them hanging in such a special place in your home !!

Anonymous said...

wow you almost got me crying...I could feel the tears beginning to form with this post. THAT was so special of your Grandpa.

we can't agree to watch the same sorts of shows on tv either, but thats where I've compromised.

i watch his shows and when he's not around i'll watch some of mine, but hardly ever.

the tv is mainly his toy.

and the stereo mine :)

weird the word verification letters for me today here are: haterest - haha hate rest

Rosanne said...

Very pretty and what sentimental value thay have for you!

Dawn said...

How nice is that. To have his note that it was for you makes it even more special.

 
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