Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The sweetest thing

The sweetest thing happened to me today.

Let me start by reminding you that my husband is jobless at the moment. He's getting better, both mentally and physically as each day goes by, and keeps busy with things to do around the house.

My laundry is always done for me, the kitchen is tidy, he's trimmed many of the hedges outside, and picked up the numerous branches that fall from the trees and well, the list goes on.


At times, he goes onto to the internet to surf the web and he's been asking me what I want for my birthday, which is around Thanksgiving.
I don't want him spending our savings on things we don't need. And if he's approved for disability (he better be!) the first check won't come in until the end of May, which is insane. (I can see how people in this country go bankrupt when a medical situation arises in the family). But we're okay for now.

What I really want is a 300 mm camera lens, but I refuse to let him spend the money on something so frivilous. What I really I need, I told him, is a jewelry box.

I've become tired of storing my jewelry in the boxes that my pieces have come in. I have a hinged wooden box that I also use, and have made partitions in it to separate my things. But they get all tangled up and it's maddening, especially in the morning when I'm looking for a certain piece to wear or trying to find the mate to an earring.

When I walked in the door today, he told me, "Oh, I went on the internet and looked at jewelry boxes and I can't believe how expensive they are. So I made you a jewelry box for your birthday. It's upstairs where you keep all your stuff."

My first thought was that was a huge sentence for him and I was thrilled that he was talking so much!
My second thought, however, was what it was that awaited me upstairs, and as I climbed the steps, I was thinking how I was going to not hurt his feelings when I saw this gift.

I mean, how could he "make me" a jewelry box?

I entered the master bathroom, where there is a huge walk-in linen room. Imagine my complete surprise when I looked on the jewelry shelf and saw a real jewelry box! It has little pull-out drawers lined with gold paper and shiny little brass drawer pulls. It's very rustic, but I was completely touched at the thought of him working hard, all day long, on this gift just for me.

He told me he had found an old tool box-looking thing downstairs in the recesses of the basement. And my heart sank as I realized that this was one of the many tool boxes that the grandfather of the current owner of this house made. I figured on letting the owner know and I could use the box as long as we live here.
When I went to work the following day, I told the owner's wife what had happened. And I get to keep this jewelry box!

Now, looking at it, I know you're probably thinking that it's just a box made of plywood, but to me it has my husband's heart in it. He found something that was completely covered in dust and some mold and he sanded it and cleaned it and dried it. He then painted it in a dark stain that he found lying around. He polished the brass and then lined each tiny drawer with gold gift wrapping paper.

Can you imagine losing your job and having nothing to do all day long? It would drive me mad! This kept him busy and entertained for an entire day.

And I am truly blessed to have him.


49 comments:

Annie said...

He is such a lovely person for you Kate..How lovely!

And should we be wishing you a Happy Birthday? If so...hope it is a wonderful time for you. It has been a lovely start to receive your very own antique hand renovated jewellery box!

Thinking of you both,
Annie

A Scattering said...

Kate, such a lovely gift....what a thoughtful guy. Did he bring a tear to your eye? Your story brought a smile and a tear to me. Happy Birthday - whenever it is!

Mary said...

Oh Kate, it's really beautiful! And such a sweet story. I'm so glad he is doing better. :)

Wishing you a very happy birthday!
xoxo,
Mary

Tug said...

It's beautiful, truly. Gifts from the heart mean so much more than something one could easily buy...

I hope you have a very happy birthday, and I'm thrilled you get to keep your jewelry box!

Woman in a Window said...

I think you're right. He's a blessing plus ten. That box is so much more than just a box, but even as a box, (insert cussing stream of joy) it is awesomly beautiful. Wonderfargingful. (I almost got through it without cussing.)

Jan said...

This is a wonderful story. I love this jewelry box, so much better that store bought, all the way around.

Anonymous said...

Kate...
I can only say WOW with tears in my eyes right now!!!
Lori

Mental P Mama said...

This is the sweetest thing I have seen or read in ages. I am speechless. Happy Early Birthday!

abb said...

How very wonderful, Kate. I'm sure that is something you will cherish all your days. A lovely, lovey story...and jewelry box.

abb said...

Oh, and a very happy birthday to come. May this new year be one of great joy and happiness for you and all those you hold dear.
xoabb

Hilary said...

That's no box made of plywood.. that's a box made of love. What a beautiful tender heart he has to do something wonderful like that for you. That's true romance.

brneyedgal967 said...

Awwww.

That is the most beautiful jewelry box and the fact that he made it for you is just that much more touching. He did a great job!

brneyedgal967 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Krystina said...

What a truely touching gesture! I can only imagine your surprise and the warmth you must have felt upon discovering your latest prize possesion!

Tess Kincaid said...

Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, (I love wonderful vintage things like this) but it's a sweet, sweet story, too. Glad you got to keep it! ;^)

Jeannelle said...

Oh, thanks for showing us the jewelry box. Its's lovely. I'm glad to hear you get to keep it!

I keep necklaces in ice cube trays and earrings in a sectioned heart-shaped candy box. They don't look great, but they work for keeping little things organized. Sigh....maybe someday I'll acquire a real jewelry box.

Unknown said...

I love this story, thanks for sharing

Anna said...

What an amazing and touching gift! And so much nicer than anything I've seen in stores.

I can completely empathize with your husband's struggle. When my husband was on medical leave for 18 months, it was really hard for him to deal with.

Patsy Terrell said...

That is a charming story. Lovely!

Egghead said...

Oh Kate this is the sweetest thing. That will be a treasure to keep forever. Happy birthday early. You both deserve all the happiness.

Oh and when my daughter was ill she went through the same thing about disability. She was approved but it took forever to come through and the screw ups social security made (like double payments and such)caused over payments that she had to pay back later. Maddening!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

I think it is beautiful and how very cool that he did that for you... Way to go hubby person :)
what day is your b day... marthas is the 28th :)
Very cool that you will get to keep it as well... wonderful history in it to go with the love :)
Happy Early Birthday!

Tui Snider @mentalmosaic said...

How incredibly thoughtful of your husband. That jewelry box looks great to me. I like the rustic style.

Best wishes on the disability. I know how long the process can be, and how hard the transitional period can be...

As for your 300mm lens... there's always Santa Claus, you know? ;P

~Tui

Magnolia Street Style said...

That jewelry box is more precious than all the gold, silver and diamonds that are in it. Happy Birthday. I will be celebrating my birthday next week too.

Tiffany said...

This is truly the sweetest gift ever. I think I would cry for days if my husband made me something this thoughtful. :o) Glad you get to keep it and that the owners didn't mind.

Deb said...

What a touching story, Kate. How sweet that your husband put so much effort into making your present. Happy early birthday, Kate! My hope is you have a wonderful day, week and month celebration!

Ellen said...

A gift from the heart. What a truly wonderful man to craft a gift for you.

And a happy early birthday to you. May the future bring you much happiness.

olivia said...

Kate -- I read this last night before I went to bed and this morning I'm still thinking about it. What a wonderful gift. And your photos of the jewelry box are lovely -- beautifully captured. I'm happy to hear that your husband has been feeling better. Happy Birthday!

Staci said...

What a truly wonderful story. You are blessed.

The Weaver of Grass said...

You are truly blest indeed.

Country Girl said...

I didn't mean to make you cry. I've gotten phone calls at work about this post! I was just so touched at this gift that I had to share it with you.

Thanks for your kindness. It means to much to me. And I read him some of the comments last night and he was surprised. And then said, "it's just a box, you know."

Um, no it's not.

~ C.G.

Suzanne said...

That is truly a touching story. You are truly blessed to have someone so loving to do something so amazing and wonderful. I love homemade gifts from the heart.

Happy Birthday to you! Mine is also coming up soon... it's on the holiday this year... and it's a miestone birthday. I never thought I'd make to this one, but God is good and continues to bless and have plans for us.

Suzanne

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

I not only think it was incredibly sweet, but I also really like the box itself! It's lovely.

this all brings back the time a few years back when my hubby was so very ill and couldn't work for a few years because of it (encephalitis). I was working full time and in school full time, and he was always thinking of sweet things to do to make my life easier even when he could barely stand up. Now we're living with his chronic illness, but it so much better than it was. And it sounds like your hubby is getting better day by day as well. And that's the greatest gift of all!

Happy Birthday! Sounds like we're close, mine is the 30th.

Shimmy Mom said...

It is beautiful. What a wonderful hubby!
Keepsakes with stories mean so much more.
Have a wonderful birthday!!
*hugs*

Anonymous said...

What a special gift.

Made me tear up too!

Daryl said...

What a truly gorgeous box .. really ... too bad that he cant make more ... trust me I would buy one in a NY minute ..

So .. how close to Thanksgiving is that b'day?

:-Daryl

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful surprise! It brought tears to my eyes!

Minna Dyer said...

I love that jewelry box. It's exactly what I would buy if they were available (and not too expensive.
And I love gifts from the heart. Nothing compares.

Anonymous said...

Kate!! That is such a cool gift. Because he actually listened to what you wanted, and then he found it and put so much love in making it. I'm so glad you get to keep it!

Anonymous said...

I love it! Maybe when Bob and I come visit we can find another in the depths of that basement for him to fix up for me! Just kidding Mrs. K! Looking at maybe coming the 29th....Is it ok to say that on blogger world?

Anonymous said...

What a precious gift. It's always lovely to read about your husband. I love your dragonfly teacup from a previous post.

Susan

Country Girl said...

Yes, Acorn, you nut. It's fine to say it on blogger world. See you on the 29th. Bring some tea, ok?

And Rosezilla, that's a sweet story you have there, too!


~ C.G.

dlyn said...

Oh my gosh ...

Jo said...

That is the most beautiful jewelry box I have ever seen.

Ever!

Happy, happy, happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

I was directed here from my blog when I wrote about something similar...gifts that are completely from the heart and very meaningful.

What an awesome jewelry box...in every way.

LIBSMOM said...

I need a jewelry box in thee worst way. I would love to have something handmade by your husband. The meaning behind it far, far outweighs the value of the wood or hardware. Outstanding. Truly.
Happy Birthday if I haven't missed it and if I have... happy belated. And thank you for sharing such a personal and heart touching story.

Anonymous said...

If it were my jewelry box I would treasure it for the rest of my life... it has to be the most beautiful gift you have ever received. Thank you for sharing this heartwarming happening in your life with all of us...

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Tootie said...

That's a very nice story. :-) I think it's beautiful!

Lynne said...

Touching and so thoughtful of your husband. (Yes, I can imagine losing one's job. It happened to my husband for over 2 yrs in this area...)
Tears came to my eyes as you described "but to me it has my husband's heart in it" and how long a sentence he articulated.(I was a Speech-Language Pathologist who worked with stroke, cancer, etc, survivors before I became an full-time artist.)

sheila @ Elements said...

The jewelry box your honey made you is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I'm sure you'll treasure it forever!

I think the best gifts are the homemade ones...the ones that come from the heart and are made with love.

There's just nothing better than that. :)

All the best to you and your family in 2011! Cheers! sheila