Margaret's Chair

I have always been a fan of using furniture that has been passed down from family members, especially older pieces that have a lot of character or special meaning. My Grandmother, Margaret passed away in April of 2010, but while she was still living, she was always worried that not enough of her things would end up being wanted or used by her family once she died (kind of strange but it was almost like a joke in our family). I think it really was about the fact that wanted to be remembered, and was scared of being forgotten. She was a total spit-fire, full of energy and exuberance. She had almost traveled the entire world by the time she died, and yet was still planning a trip to China! Her laugh and zest for life are what I miss the most. And I miss her soft, sweet smell.

At a ranch in Montana, on our last vacation together. Isn't she precious.

I was really close with my Grandmother, especially being her first grandchild. She was extremely proud of her 5 grandkids. I was fortunate to grow up living just around the corner from her, so she was always very involved in my life and everything I did. She was a teacher and guidance counselor at Memorial High School for many, many years, which is my Alma mater. Even though she retired before I got there, it was clear she had left her mark, because when faculty learned my last name was Love, they always wanted to know if I was related to her and would tell me how much they adored her. She loved to sing and was really involved with her church. She also volunteered and traveled a lot. She enjoyed eating out and seeing movies too, and I can recall the embarrassment I felt as a child when she would sneak snacks and drinks from home into the theater and open her canned soda-- LOUD for all to hear! We had tons of wonderful family vacations over the years too; one in Colorado where she was brave enough to get on a down hill snow sled with me! She was over the moon when Jake was born and so excited to see his first birthday. Now that he's talking, I can just imagine what kind of conversations they would have together, and I know he'd be the apple of her eye. I hate that she isn't seeing him growing up, but I'm so thankful she was here for his first year.

In the last few years of her life, Grandma's health was declining and our entire family made the difficult decision that she would be safer and healthier in an assisted living home. So we all gathered together for a weekend and helped her go through her entire house to figure out what would move with her, what would be donated, what her family wanted, and what was just trash! Although it was an emotional weekend as we realized she would be leaving the house my Dad and his brothers grew up in, it was also a neat time as a family going through so much memorabilia. It's times like that when you appreciate having a close family who pulls together during a hard transition. We shared lots of laughter and tears, reminiscing and saying goodbye to the house that had been her home for decades.

Among the things I chose were a small gold antique side table, and her silver chest that stored her fancy dining silverware. She loved bluebonnets and had many paintings throughout her house. I took the largest one and it's now a focal point in my den. Another small one hangs in my bedroom. And the one she had hand painted by a friend for Michael and me while we lived in Chicago hangs in our entryway. She wanted us to have a piece of Texas with us while we were out of state. Whenever I travel, I bring one of her rosary necklaces with me, just like she did. After she passed, my sister, cousins and I received bags of her jewelry and a letter to each of us explaining every piece she had picked to give us. She left me her wedding ring and my great grandmother's wedding ring, which I wear often. Simple gold bands that I never expected or knew I would receive, but that embody such incredible meaning. And I can't help but think of her whenever Jake wears his Astros t-shirt. They were her favorite team and I know she'd be thrilled that Jake loves them too.

Probably the most memorable item I inherited from her house was a dark blue velvet arm chair that sat in her living room. She once told me she guessed it was at least 40 years old and that she'd gotten it when my Grandfather, Knox was still alive. I distinctly remember her sitting in that very chair the day that my mom, Michael and I went to her house to tell her I was engaged. Perhaps that is why I have such a sentimental attachment to it, because there is an image in my head of her sitting in it with a huge smile on her face, cackling with joy as we shared our news. Or maybe its the fact that this chair has worn my family's history for so many years, long before I was born. There were memories made in this chair, happy family times shared by all of us. But it had been sitting in my garage until I could afford to have it redone...

Grandma's old chair, before restoration...

So for my 30th birthday present, my parents generously had the worn out chair recovered and refurbished, and it now sits in my den next to Grandma's little side table...such a special gift to me. I picked a bright, yellow orchid to put on the table, because she loved colorful flowers. It's kind of Margaret's corner, I guess. And although it evokes deep emotion in me when I look at it, I can almost picture her sitting in it and saying "It looks good kid, take care of it and don't forget about me, I love you". And now that she is gone, when I miss her, and I think of her as Jake does something she would be so proud of, that chair brings me comfort. So, Grandma, this one's for you. I love and miss you every day and I'm so thankful for the long life you had. You were always an encourager, and for that I'm eternally grateful. I hope you are looking down from Heaven with joy as you see that your fear did not come true; in fact it's just the opposite. Your presence is all around us every day, and that will never change. I love you...

Margaret's Corner, in my den