Saturday, February 25, 2012

And the Greatest of These...


Jenny Matlock has bestowed upon us a near-perfect prompt today, along with 100 words of our own choosing to develop it. We even get to illustrate! Isn't that chair-itable? ;)

(the prompt, as always, is in red)

∞§∞


Chair-ity
©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

The chair dominated the small room, but it didn’t matter. She loved every rounded edge and sharp corner of it, every curve and angle shaped to hold her form, to cradle her own cradling. A rocking chair is what she’d asked for…hoped for…but as was her man’s custom, he gave more.

That chair cost dear, more dear than parts and pieces. He worked in sugar maple, like his people, and made the hot hide glue his daddy used. But it was sleepless nights that brought the value…and work-worn hands that labored until dawn.

It showed up in the nursery one bright morning. She squealed, and he came running from the yard. She told her ma his soul was in his eyes.

And in her woman’s heart, she took it in.

∞§∞

31 comments:

Bookie said...

Oh, this is lovely,Sue! Nice, nice, nice.

Judie said...

So beautiful, Sue--So very, very beautiful.

Brian Miller said...

smiles...this is beautiful...my uncle was a wood worker...and i still keep one of his pieces by the couch to this day...just knowing his hands formed it is def special...

jen said...

Outdid yourself with this one. Beautiful imagery. Who needs 300 words when 100 is perfect.

anitamombanita said...

Absolutely loved this one!!

Lynn said...

Aw, I want that relationship:@)

Christine said...

beautiful words

Ames said...

Wow! Sue I was somewhere in the Appalachian mountains seeing this story unfold. Excellent writing. Very Moving!~Ames

Darlene said...

Love this story. I can feel that the husband truly felt every bit of work that he did on this rocking chair was an expression of his pure love.

I wish I had more of my dad's woodworking. He did make some amazing things. I hope you saw the gorgeous pull down desk that was in Nancy's home when you were there. She now has it in her new condo in Robert's room.

At least I do have my snake parts and the chains. He did make me that doll bed, but it is just made from wood scraps. Still I treasure it.

yaya said...

Nothing is as beautiful or wonderful than something put together with love as the first ingredient. Great story and fun prompt!

21 Wits said...

Straight from the heart, very lovely.

Melody said...

I love it. Very nice.

Best wishes,
Melody
MerrieMelody.blogspot.com

Koby said...

I'll just copy what the others said... beautiful and simply a joy to read.

Unknown said...

Sue...quite a lovely bit of writing. Wonderful!

Dreaming said...

Oh, yeah... goosebumps!
What a wonderful story... in just 106 words! Wow!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Your words warm my heart. Very nicely done, Sue.
xoRobyn

karen said...

You never fail to please, Sue. it painted a lovely picture, helped along by a few personal memories.

Witmer Family Reunion said...

I have a guy like that.

I love this story.

Grandma Honey said...

What a love story.

LeAnn said...

That was so lovely; thanks you for your precious talent of writing. My heart was touched today.
Hugs!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Very descriptive.

Donna said...

Once again I am in awe of the amazing way you write. You always leave me wanting more. Well done!

Connie said...

What a wonderful picture of home and love you painted with this.

Anonymous said...

Nice take on the prompt!

Tess Julia said...

Lovely. It made me think of the antique rocking chair my husband reupholstered for our first baby:)

Tina said...

loved the picture you used. Fits in perfectly with the sweet story

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tale, full of warmth and humanity. Loved it:

Once Upon an Equine said...

That's a very pretty and sweetly written story. Love the picture too; there is something comforting about a rocking chair and knitting.

Unknown said...

A story about a cherished gift.
Anna

Sarah Bucu said...

So beautifully written.

Jenny said...

Oh Sue.

This gave me goosebumps.

Wow.

Beautiful, beautiful writing here. Something about this brought the amazing writer, Jodi Picoult, to mind for me.

Powerful and wonderful...

...and...

I still have goosebumps.

Girl. You are my hero.