As many of you know, my Mom died Friday, the 3rd of Jan.

[slightlv]

13. Funny thing is, Keepers...

There are three items in the front room which are treasured antiques! For truth! One is a grandfather's clock that my great-grandfather designed, carved, and built. It has a front panel of etched glass... a picture of my mom and her pet squirrel when she was about 5 years old. One other is a a ornately nature carved art frame, with a painting of ducks that used to be by grandpa's lake all the time. My great-grandfather was American Indian and enormously talented artistically. Whenever I do creative work of any kind, it always comes out with a Native American theme, even if I don't intend it! (LOL)

The last piece which one could say is an antique by now (which no one but me wants) is my Dad's foot locker from WWII. It seemed right that the only other member of our immediate family to serve in the military should be responsible for it. It means something to me (and to my Dad) that the others don't understand. It was a little piece of "home" in faraway countries, stashing not only the necessary clothes, etc., but also the small things that mean so much when you're away from family.