Three Poster Bed

The Three Poster Bed

Five generations of living held together with memories.

 

'Why are you pouting on your brother's bed?' My mother asked. 'Shrugging shoulders is not an answer'.

"How long did it take Daddy to make this Sleigh Bed for Doug's birthday?"


"Oh, about four months I guess."

'Can I have one?' I asked."

"No Dear you cannot, but Daddy, will make you a lovely wardrobe if you like."

"I hate my old ugly bed. Half the time the left post falls off. Why can't Daddy make me one? Is it cause I'm the youngest? Because I am old enough, you know. I would take very good care of a fine bed like this one."

'No Penny, it is not because you are the youngest.' My mother's voice was annoyed but not angry."

"Cause I'm a girl then?" I said with a wrinkled nose.

'No Sweetie it's not because you are a girl.' My mother said with the same expression. 'If you hadn't noticed I'm a girl too.'

'Then why am I stuck with that old broken bed?' A bitter, jealous voice told it all."

'Penny Marie McKay,' she said with flare, but then her voice softened. 'You are the youngest of four, that is true, and you are the only girl also true. I gave you that bed when you turned thirteen. It was because I was born in that bed, all you children were born in that bed. Your oldest brother Tom, God rest his soul, broke that back post swinging on it like a monkey, playing with you when you were five. It was the day before he left for war. And baby girl, my daddy made my momma that bed it was the last thing he ever made.' My Mother's eyes were drowning in tears as were my own."

'Oh Momma,' I said."

"But she kept on talking.'Now if this bed is not good enough for you, my sister Joy would love to have that bed.'

'No,' I said with much feeling.'Don't give away my bed. I will always treasure it forever and always.' I said. ******* "'Now off to sleep, My little Sugar-Plum.'

"Grandma Penny?" The child with the same name said.

"Yes, Dear. "


"Will you tell me about the bed again in the morning, and this time will you tell me how my momma use to sleep in my bed?"


"Yes dear, I'd love too. "


"Oh, and can you turn on my night-light."

Reviews

[roarke]

This story is an excellent illustration of the phrase, "teach your children well." Our family traditions and generational connections are what's at stake in the country and probably much of the world today. More of what's revealed in this reminisce is needed. Thanks for shining the light....

[Midnight Otaku]

This story makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Knowing how important a broken item can be makes me want to appreciate everything i have much, much more.

[Cherrie Palmer]

thank you Midnight

[Zeek4]

Very touching story. It brings to mind the precious family heirlooms from my past, along with any reader of this work.

[An owl on the moon]

This is a deeply emotional, poignant work. Oh, how a new perspective can change all that we see from dust to gold. Beautifully crafted!

[Samuel Dickens]

What a sweet story with an important message. Old things are often precious to me for the same reasons that bed was, so it gets my goat when someone wants to throw them out and replace them with something new and pretty. I have my grandfather's old shotgun, and even though he died years before I was born, I feel connected to him when I hold it.

[Bubo]

Family is the foundation of us all, what a lovely story of giving and childhood!

[Ed Hart]

how wonderful for you to be anchored in a family