30 Days of Photographs III - Five

I am surrounded by "fives." All day I have seen them, but have been unable to capture one on film that I really like. Then I realized that everyday I look at a "5" that is on one of my favorite things in our home. I snap one shot and it is finally a photo that I can post.

This is a large clock that we have hanging in our family room over the mantle. It is a truly special piece because it is full of love. *cue the awwws*

As we were living in the nasty apartment away from home and rebuilding our lives post fire, there were not many moments when we could look positively on our experiences or circumstances. One day, the Hubby and I were asked to visit the shop where our remaining wood furniture was being refinished. We were seeing the pieces for the first time as they were in process of being restored. It was going to be a day full of mixed emotions and we were anxious as we entered the shop.

The front of this business is a small boutique that the owner's wife has for fun. In it she sells everything from jewelry to antique cabinets, with sections of nursery items and a slew of seasonal gifts. It is in stark contrast to the workshop that is housed in the huge storehouse area of the business. That hidden shop is full of rooms of furniture in all stages of repair and filled with the sounds of machinery and the smells of ash, mold, sawdust, varnish, and other assaults on the senses.

The moment that we stepped into the boutique, both of us noticed this clock (it's about 3 feet across) hanging on a soffit. We simultaneously said how cool it was. Then we were ushered into the workshop to spend time finding and hearing about the repairs to our stuff. We left in separate cars after a long visit and I returned to the nasty apartment.

When the Hubby came home that night, he entered the apartment with a big smile and a large gift-wrapped package. It was the clock. He had returned to the shop rather then leave when our time there had ended. He wanted to get it for me to brighten my day and because he felt like I needed something special. During this most horrible time in our lives, he was only thinking of doing something special for me.

I immediately removed a rental "print" that hung on the wall and hung the clock where it was easily seen. It was the first thing that was purchased for our home for our return and I knew where it would be placed when we came home. It was a wonderful reminder that our environment was temporary and that there were brighter days ahead. It is now where I can look at it throughout the day and not just see the time, but remember the moment when it was a gift of pure love.


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P.S. Yes, he really is like this. One of my earliest posts told another tale. If you are interested it is here.