I am pretty much in a funk today and it is all because of the table. Back in the late 80’s I went to an estate sale and bought the table. It was in our first home and when we moved it to this house it fit perfectly. I have always loved my table. It is over 8 ft long and could fit a boat load of people at it. When the kids were small I got rid of the chairs and put benches beside it. It made it easier for them to sit and do schoolwork, etc. The table has seen our kids through christenings, birthday parties, holidays, friends over, graduation, and our Sunday dinners together. I have always felt that the one piece of furniture that I could never part with would be the table. Today the table is gone. My dining room is empty except for the built in bookshelves and fireplace. Along with the table went the church pew and the antique ice freezer. All this in the name of marriage. My husband is not a lover of antiques. Slowly over the years I filled the house with them. Last year he asked if he could do one room over and I agreed. He did our living room. Out went the sofa with large comfy cushions and in came the big leather sofas. Out went the quilts hanging on the walls and in came the large artwork. Out went the big braided rug and in came the modern rug. Out went the primitive pie safe that held our tv and in came the modern cabinet. I have adjusted even if it isn’t comfortable. I thought that would make him happy. But that wasn’t enough. Before I knew it he had bartered away my Hoosier cabinet that sat in the kitchen. At this point he seemed satisfied and I relaxed. That is until last week when he decided it was time to redo the dining room. After much discussion, I relented. This time the furniture would have to be something I agreed upon. We went shopping and decisions were made. He actually thought he could just toss my things out and burn them. No way! I took some pictures and he took them into an antique dealer who bought them all on the spot (for more money then I had invested in them). She came to get them yesterday and my house looks so empty. It was just a block of wood, but that block of wood carries the memories of our family for the past 18 years. I will cherish the time I spent with that table, I know that some other family will grab it up and they will start memories of there own. In the meantime I will prepare the room for our new table and know that 18 years down the road this table will have memories of its own.
13 comments:
Oh Laura - this made me cry! (Partly because I"m in a funky mood myself!). Oh all those memories. And what a perfect table for how I picture that you live! It looks wonderful in the picture. But I guess you have the right idea - just think of all the new memories you will get to make with the "new" table.
Oh my gosh Laura....my first thought was...your dh is a BRAVE man. Then....NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I can't imagine getting rid of some of my old 'treasures' that hold so many memories for me for newer things. You are such a trooper!! I would be throwing a hissy bout now ....along with throwing dh's clothes out the window! :oP
Oh, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of the table. I personally feel like they just don't make furniture as sturdy as they used to, and I'd be dragging my feet all the way on giving away such table!
Whoops, not trying to make you sadder. Who knows, maybe someday your husband will look back fondly on the unique pieces you had. :)
I love the types of pieces you were talking about...and I would be devastated to lose them too. I am so sorry that it had to happen this way, but I hope that you enjoy the new memories that you will make in your new rooms. I hope your husband appreciates how much this is affecting you and really how generous you are!!
This is so sad. But you're taking the best possible attitude, I guess. Maybe it will also help to think about how the next people who have your table will surely love it too. It's beautiful.
What a lovely table. You have a better ending ... I took the table and a few other things and left, many years ago. I still have the table and the memories, it even survived the house fire. So, it is mine and I am keeping it.
BUT ... I mourn for you the loss of your antiques.
Your DH is a very lucky man to have you for a wife - and he owes you BIG for giving up your treasures. I love my DH but I love my cosy old-fashioned home too. I could never do what you are doing. You have a great attitude however - there is a silver lining in every cloud!
You caught your melancholy feeling perfectly, and now have spread it to me. And now Laura you and hubby will have another 18 years of breaking in the new table with new memories to pass along, too.
You can just imagine some young married couple who work hard for the small amount of money they make so they can spend more time at home with their children. They need a solid table that will not cost much money - a table the kids can sit at and do there finger painting and crafts and homework. Mum can set up her sewing machine at one end. The table will find a new and loving home.
I hope we get to see the newly designed dining room!
My first thought is . . I'd get rid of DH and keep the table! Hopefully he's finished with his "re-doing your life". Sorry about having to part with your table. I can see how that would be pretty sad.
But just think . . you get a nice, new table! :)
Judy L.
Oh dear, Laura...there are no words to fit this crime. You are being such a good sport about it..I couldn't politely say what my reaction to his request(demand) would be. You are making a noble effort..and I applaud you. Hugs for the owies, Finn
What a lovely table and what a sad story .. It must be hard for you to see your personal loving things go. I hope you are be able to make a new warm home with your new furniture ! hughs
Oh my goodness! Sounds like you have a clash of decorating styles. And it seems like it's been festering for 18 years! Wow you are being very good about this.
Have you managed to do any 'contemporary' quilts (as throws) for the new modern sofas? Then you can get your quilting back into the lounge room by stealth :)
I hope your new table is FABULOUS!
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