A SPECIAL GIFT

My father is not one to sit around, he always needs to be doing something to keep him happy. Even with his leukemia he will still get up and find something to do. Fever, aching, no energy, it doesn't matter he will find something that needs to be done. One of the things my father does to keep busy is some woodworking. This is something my father has picked up over the past few years. He has always been good with his hands and can do anything he sets his mind to. This has been something that has brought him a great deal of joy.

He has made several wood pieces for himself and my mother. I saw the beautiful work he was doing and I asked him to build me a cedar chest several years ago. I have always wanted a cedar chest and have never had one. Over the years I watched as he would put other people's request in front of mine. I actually had given up on the idea that it was going to be made which was alright since I was watching his health decline. I was disappointed but I wasn't angry.

Then I got word that he was making my cedar chest when he asked Scott for some money to help cover the costs. I was so excited and couldn't wait to see it. One day I finally got to see what he had created. It was so beautiful! With each process it just continued to get more and more beautiful. Then it was done and I got to bring it home. I was cleaning out some things and I came upon my Grandmother's baby bonnet. I sat and looked at it and thought, I wish I had somewhere safe to put this. Then it dawned on me that I finally had something for my keepsakes. I wrapped the bonnet in tissue paper and placed it safely in my beautiful new cedar chest.



There will never be enough words or the right words to describe how precious this cedar chest is to me. It was made with lots of love and sacrifice. I will treasure it forever. Thank you Dad!