My Grand Mother's rocking chair:
This is just a small little rocking chair. It holds great meaning for me and sentimental value. I don't think I've ever shown it here before; but I wanted to share it's story with you because it is an interesting one.
In 1939, my paternal Grandfather and my Grandmother were expecting their first child.
He was working in Dallas at Sanger Bros. Department Store; they were having a Dollar Days Sale and with his employee discount he bought this rocking chair for a whopping .85 cents!!
It's a small chair.
My Grandmother rocked her babies in this chair.
Later her grand-babies... and the day they brought it to my home, she rocked my oldest child; her Great Grand daughter. According to my grand-dad the chair was a much better fit back then.
(I think he was being cheeky when he said that...because Grandmother gave him the stink-eye!)
It didn't always look like this-- the seat was different, I was told it was a twisted paper woven seat.
When I was almost 1 year old-- my parents took a trip to Missouri with my Grandparents to visit my Great grandparents-- her parents. I learned to walk in Missouri-- I don't remember it.
Anyway, Grand-dad took this chair along and had the seat re-caned; while we were up for the visit.
There was a local artisan there that used WILLOW BARK, soaked in the Buffalo River and rewove the seat. I think he did a magnificent job; because this seat has held up some 47 years now.
I've owned it almost 26 years.
About 12 or 13 years ago...my boys were goofing off in the living room and one of them stepped on the back of one of the rockers and cracked it and it broke. So, I moved the chair to my bedroom and didn't use it for such a long time...until about 4 years ago-- I took it to the Furniture Shop in town; owned by a Mennonite Family and had the rocker on bottom replaced. They did a wonderful job too! It only cost $35 for the repair.
He said I might need to get the seat re-caned one of these days.
But I don't think so.
This little chair has good bones and is quite strong.
I love sitting in it while sitting next to the stove.
...and just rocking.
Life doesn't get much simpler than that.
The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. ~Philippians 4:23
13 comments:
I love pieces of furniture with sweet stories. I have a few of the family pieces, but mostly knick knack sorts of things. When we moved to our tiny cottage, I gave my sister all of my large pieces of furniture that were passed down through the family. My daughter now has the rocker that I used to rock both of my children - an old chair from my grandmother. One day maybe I will have a grand baby to rock in it.
Have a wonderful weekend.
A wonderful keepsake from your family history.
Cherish it, as your doing. We don't have many
like this. Lovely story!
Sandy
Good Morning to you, Who would have known, looking at this little rocking chair, that it had such a lovely story to tell. I love old pieces of furniture. I know in England, if a chair was low, it was called a nursing chair, as my mother Phyllis, who is 82 years old, said all her sisters nursed their babies in low nursing chairs.
I found you via Claudia, A Favourite Thing and have enjoyed reading your blog, that I have become a new follower. You are welcome to come and visit me at Ivy, Phyllis and Me! when you have the time, ivyphyllisandme.blogspot.co.uk, I have given my blog address as I am on Google + and as yet have not found a way to change the "no reply blogger".
Sending you best wishes from England.
Daphne
Neat story. At our local historical days here, they demonstrate chair caning to folks. It's an art you just don't see much of anymore.
Great story!
Clint @ http://theredeemedgardener.blogspot.com
How very pretty and what a great story! My aunt and uncle used to repair cane furniture here in Missouri! They don't live near the Buffalo River though.
What a sweet rocker and lovely story! I wouldn't have it re-caned either -- it just wouldn't be the same. I remember similar chairs at my grandparents' home -- two, one for him and one for her!!
I've enjoyed your post and am now a new follower!
Great story! I broke off a rocker of my folks' chair as a tween! Cheapy chair anyway-- think they tossed it! Yours is really special!
I love this post! What a wonderful story - love to hear the story of the rocker through the generations.
Happy weekend to you!
Pat, you know I love a good story and this a good story! This chair must be priceless to you. What a treasure that you have and you have lovingly restored it.
Gotta love the 'stink-eye'!
Thank you so much for joining in this week!
xo
Claudia
What an absolute precious treasure and story. I cannot imagine the songs hummed and stories told while rocking babies and children..it has some wonderful mileage.. It is beautiful! Blessings!
Well that is a beautiful treasure and how wonderful that you have kept it in such beautiful condition! Thanks so very much for stopping by!!
what a sweet story about this nice little chair. Prices are so high now, it is hard to imagine that a piece of furniture sold for 85 cents, even right after the depression.
I am glad you have it and also enjoy it.
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