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SK's The Hope Chest
by
SK on Elderberry
(IC: professional)
This beautiful aromatic cedar hope chest was given to my mother in 1945 a year or so after she was married. Dad was a machinist mate on the World War II destroyer tender Piedmont. This didn't mean much to me until I had become an adult and learned the history and ramifications of this horrible war.
My mom passed away last year at the young age of ninety three, I was given her hope chest.
And the chest I received certainly did not look like this...
My mom passed away last year at the young age of ninety three, I was given her hope chest.
And the chest I received certainly did not look like this...
Painted furniture lovers and natural woodgrain lovers beware. This post won't make either camp very happy. Aw Well. What will be, will be...
With delight I started to rummage through mom and dad's past. Not until I found the bundle of tied love letters, did I slow down and show the reverence this prize contained.
As a child this chest was always in my parent's bedroom. I was not allowed to open this treasure without mom's attendance. I remember vividly the fragrant cedar smell as this "secret" chest was opened.
When I was a small child mom painted her hope chest an antique cream. I didn't know why or even cared at the time.
Although the inside was beautifully intact, the exterior had been painted and was now an old cracked and peeling white. I could see damaged and peeling veneer had been sanded and puttied.
With my face mask on, I began to lightly sand the top, where I could see the most damage. As I lightly sanded the front of the chest I began to see a sunburst pattern of light ridges appear.
With a bit of research, I found that The Roos Corporation of Forest Park, Illinois was a manufacturer of these fine cedar chests.
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Published December 27th, 2015 8:54 PM
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4 comments
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Chris aka monkey on Dec 28, 2015sk what a beautiful story and gorgeous chest full of memories xx
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SK on Elderberry on Dec 28, 2015@Chris aka monkey Well hello there. Nice to see you. Love having you visit..crazy stuff living in an un-finished house with 8" inches of snow outside. But I am getting stuff done. Just not fast enough. Patience sk, patience. sk on elderberry
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