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Glory of Home Life
Ssssssssssht…
Ssssssssssht…
Ssssssssssht… The plane passes once more before the Master clears it of its shavings. He rubs his gnarled hand along the wooden plank that is to become the top of the table. Pausing to swipe the sweat from his brow, he notices his son and wife standing in the doorway. He smiles, and then beckons his son towards him. The son walks over, and his father takes his hands and puts them on the plane. After a moment, the sound of the plane resumes and a small curl of wood falls to the ground. The wife stands in the doorway, reflecting on this moment.
With money being tight, Molly pauses before deciding whether to buy the table. “Where did you say it came from?” she asks. The old man replies, “My brother found it in a store near his farm. I was told it was a family heirloom, created from a tree in their yard.” Molly hesitates -- the price seems too good to be true. The seller, seeing her doubt, says, “My dear woman, I always make it a habit to know the history of every item I sell. You would not believe what some people tell me.” “Alright I’ll take it!” she says. “I will deliver it first thing tomorrow morning.” the old man replies. “Just remember -- old items like these have changed people.” “I hope I didn’t just get swindled by this old man.” Molly thinks. Five-hundred dollars is a lot of money.” The old man smiles and says to himself, “that table is just what her family needs - just like all the others.”
…..
The next day when I was delivered, Molly told the movers to put me in the living room. Once I was settled in the room, Molly turned to me. “Now”, she said, “let's get a look at what I paid for.” And with that she began to remove the years of paint from me.
The pungent aroma of paint stripper filled the room as Molly stripped the final layer from my top. The sandy brown veined wood was finally revealed and she remarked, “This looks a lot like olive wood. And the carving on the top is beautiful!” As I was being polished, Molly’s stained hands pressed too hard, slipping to reveal my hidden drawer. Inside were a few of my lost treasures, hidden for many years. Molly sat down and began to examine my compartment, where she stumbled upon a faded piece of parchment, on which was written a recipe. The recipe had been revised over the years, but it clearly was not modern. “Well,” she said, “this looks easy - and I already have all the ingredients!”
Later that night Jerry, Molly’s husband, says “where did you get this recipe?” “Oh I just found it in the table I bought. Why do you ask?” Jerry replies, “I haven’t tasted this since my childhood. It brings back fond memories of my mother. You know we haven’t spent much time together lately -- I want to fix that, starting tonight. I’m going uncork that bottle of wine we’ve been saving and we can spend the evening together.” “That sounds like a lovely idea Jerry. You know, you never have spoken of your childhood.”
…..
“You have been working for hours! Why don’t you come here and taste this new recipe I’ve created?” Realizing how hungry he is, the carpenter replies that he will be there as soon as he washes. After tasting the recipe he replies, “This is my favorite so far, you really should write it down. That way others can enjoy it as much as I have.”
In the morning the carpenter began to work on me, finishing my front door and compartment. My compartment had many spaces, big ones, small ones and long ones. “I’ve made one for every item that belongs with a table. I even have one for recipes like the ones your mother creates,” said the carpenter. “Even one for a pocket knife, Papa?” asked the son. “There is even one for your pocket knife.” replied the carpenter “But come now, we should pray. We must always pray as we work.”
…..
Later that evening Molly’s son came in, late as usual because of his job. “Josh, dinner is in the fridge, help yourself.” He quickly grabbed the plate and sat down next to me. After finishing his dinner, Josh began to take notice of the now open compartments. He began to look at all my boxes. “Hmmmm, what is this?” He said as he pulled out the small pocket knife. “I haven’t used a pocket knife since I was a little boy. Maybe I’ll carve something tonight, just for old time’s sake.”
…..
Years later, Josh looks back on this night and tells the art museum that it was that little pocket knife that inspired him to ask his father teach him to carve. “If it wasn’t for that knife, I still might not know my dad. So I dedicate this piece to my father.” Josh pulls back the white drapes to reveal a wooden statue of a father teaching his son how to carve. The crowd claps for Josh, and his father walks forward to hug his son as tears stream down his face.
…..
The man claps his hands because he is so excited that Master craftsman is finally finished with me. “May I come and have a look?” The Master nods and leads him to his workshop where I am still resting. “You truly deserve the title of master craftsman my friend!” The man says as he looks at me. He notices all the fine details the master has put into me. He notices the fine carving on top of a pair of lambs, one of which is crowned in the pasture. This carving is surrounded by a scrolled edge inlaid with dark walnut. He continues to marvel as he moves around me. Every detail is noticed and brings a greater smile to the man’s face. “My daughter will be most pleased with this as her wedding gift. You even made it special for her by carving herself and the prince as lambs on the top.” The Master craftsman smiles, and thanks the man. The Master then asks the man when he should deliver me.
…..
Sara says, “May 1st, that’s when I want my wedding.” “That day is open Sara. It will be a great pleasure to marry. It seems like only yesterday that you were just a baby.” Replied Fr. Rocco, “But before I can marry you, the diocese has mandated that a paper be written.” “But Fr. Rocco, this isn't school!” “Unfortunately, I have no say in the matter.”
When she arrives at home, she sits by me. While Molly is making tea she notices that her daughter is distressed, and asks Sara what is wrong. “Mom, before I can be married I have to write a paper. But I have no idea what to write about!” “Well sweetie, all I can say is that I know you can do it! Perhaps you just need to be inspired. Here, have some tea at the table - you always did your best thinking there.” “Thanks mom, I’ll do my best!” As her mom leaves, Sara begins to stare closer at me. The more she stares the more intrigued she is by my carvings.
For the first time she notices that there are more than just the crowned lamb and his companion. There is a lamb in the background, almost unnoticeable but completely unmistakable. As she continues to stare, she begins to write what she sees. The crowned lamb is leading the other lambs toward a grand ceremony festooned with palm branches and lilies. There are a multitude of precious stones on the crown that form the shape of a cross. “I have always loved this carving. Perhaps I can write about its symbolism.”
…..
Fr. Rocco congratulates Sara on her paper. “Sara this is an exquisite paper, where did you get the inspiration?” “Well Father, I was inspired by my mother’s old table.” Sara replies. “I would lie to see this table. It intrigues me.” says Fr. Rocco.
After the wedding, all are gathered around me. The family eats, laughs, and shares the joy of the day. The old man, smiling, turns from the window. He walks back to his store with a twinkle in his eye. “Who is next on the list?” he asks himself, “The Smiths family has needed a chest for some time, and that one made of cedar would be perfect.”
…..
Taking his ass, the master carpenter turns and heads for home. He walks slowly, thinking of his son and wife. He wonders what his son will do when he is grown. Will he be a carpenter? Or perhaps he has another fate? Only time will tell - but first there is dinner with his family.
Ssssssssssht…
Ssssssssssht… The plane passes once more before the Master clears it of its shavings. He rubs his gnarled hand along the wooden plank that is to become the top of the table. Pausing to swipe the sweat from his brow, he notices his son and wife standing in the doorway. He smiles, and then beckons his son towards him. The son walks over, and his father takes his hands and puts them on the plane. After a moment, the sound of the plane resumes and a small curl of wood falls to the ground. The wife stands in the doorway, reflecting on this moment.
With money being tight, Molly pauses before deciding whether to buy the table. “Where did you say it came from?” she asks. The old man replies, “My brother found it in a store near his farm. I was told it was a family heirloom, created from a tree in their yard.” Molly hesitates -- the price seems too good to be true. The seller, seeing her doubt, says, “My dear woman, I always make it a habit to know the history of every item I sell. You would not believe what some people tell me.” “Alright I’ll take it!” she says. “I will deliver it first thing tomorrow morning.” the old man replies. “Just remember -- old items like these have changed people.” “I hope I didn’t just get swindled by this old man.” Molly thinks. Five-hundred dollars is a lot of money.” The old man smiles and says to himself, “that table is just what her family needs - just like all the others.”
…..
The next day when I was delivered, Molly told the movers to put me in the living room. Once I was settled in the room, Molly turned to me. “Now”, she said, “let's get a look at what I paid for.” And with that she began to remove the years of paint from me.
The pungent aroma of paint stripper filled the room as Molly stripped the final layer from my top. The sandy brown veined wood was finally revealed and she remarked, “This looks a lot like olive wood. And the carving on the top is beautiful!” As I was being polished, Molly’s stained hands pressed too hard, slipping to reveal my hidden drawer. Inside were a few of my lost treasures, hidden for many years. Molly sat down and began to examine my compartment, where she stumbled upon a faded piece of parchment, on which was written a recipe. The recipe had been revised over the years, but it clearly was not modern. “Well,” she said, “this looks easy - and I already have all the ingredients!”
Later that night Jerry, Molly’s husband, says “where did you get this recipe?” “Oh I just found it in the table I bought. Why do you ask?” Jerry replies, “I haven’t tasted this since my childhood. It brings back fond memories of my mother. You know we haven’t spent much time together lately -- I want to fix that, starting tonight. I’m going uncork that bottle of wine we’ve been saving and we can spend the evening together.” “That sounds like a lovely idea Jerry. You know, you never have spoken of your childhood.”
…..
“You have been working for hours! Why don’t you come here and taste this new recipe I’ve created?” Realizing how hungry he is, the carpenter replies that he will be there as soon as he washes. After tasting the recipe he replies, “This is my favorite so far, you really should write it down. That way others can enjoy it as much as I have.”
In the morning the carpenter began to work on me, finishing my front door and compartment. My compartment had many spaces, big ones, small ones and long ones. “I’ve made one for every item that belongs with a table. I even have one for recipes like the ones your mother creates,” said the carpenter. “Even one for a pocket knife, Papa?” asked the son. “There is even one for your pocket knife.” replied the carpenter “But come now, we should pray. We must always pray as we work.”
…..
Later that evening Molly’s son came in, late as usual because of his job. “Josh, dinner is in the fridge, help yourself.” He quickly grabbed the plate and sat down next to me. After finishing his dinner, Josh began to take notice of the now open compartments. He began to look at all my boxes. “Hmmmm, what is this?” He said as he pulled out the small pocket knife. “I haven’t used a pocket knife since I was a little boy. Maybe I’ll carve something tonight, just for old time’s sake.”
…..
Years later, Josh looks back on this night and tells the art museum that it was that little pocket knife that inspired him to ask his father teach him to carve. “If it wasn’t for that knife, I still might not know my dad. So I dedicate this piece to my father.” Josh pulls back the white drapes to reveal a wooden statue of a father teaching his son how to carve. The crowd claps for Josh, and his father walks forward to hug his son as tears stream down his face.
…..
The man claps his hands because he is so excited that Master craftsman is finally finished with me. “May I come and have a look?” The Master nods and leads him to his workshop where I am still resting. “You truly deserve the title of master craftsman my friend!” The man says as he looks at me. He notices all the fine details the master has put into me. He notices the fine carving on top of a pair of lambs, one of which is crowned in the pasture. This carving is surrounded by a scrolled edge inlaid with dark walnut. He continues to marvel as he moves around me. Every detail is noticed and brings a greater smile to the man’s face. “My daughter will be most pleased with this as her wedding gift. You even made it special for her by carving herself and the prince as lambs on the top.” The Master craftsman smiles, and thanks the man. The Master then asks the man when he should deliver me.
…..
Sara says, “May 1st, that’s when I want my wedding.” “That day is open Sara. It will be a great pleasure to marry. It seems like only yesterday that you were just a baby.” Replied Fr. Rocco, “But before I can marry you, the diocese has mandated that a paper be written.” “But Fr. Rocco, this isn't school!” “Unfortunately, I have no say in the matter.”
When she arrives at home, she sits by me. While Molly is making tea she notices that her daughter is distressed, and asks Sara what is wrong. “Mom, before I can be married I have to write a paper. But I have no idea what to write about!” “Well sweetie, all I can say is that I know you can do it! Perhaps you just need to be inspired. Here, have some tea at the table - you always did your best thinking there.” “Thanks mom, I’ll do my best!” As her mom leaves, Sara begins to stare closer at me. The more she stares the more intrigued she is by my carvings.
For the first time she notices that there are more than just the crowned lamb and his companion. There is a lamb in the background, almost unnoticeable but completely unmistakable. As she continues to stare, she begins to write what she sees. The crowned lamb is leading the other lambs toward a grand ceremony festooned with palm branches and lilies. There are a multitude of precious stones on the crown that form the shape of a cross. “I have always loved this carving. Perhaps I can write about its symbolism.”
…..
Fr. Rocco congratulates Sara on her paper. “Sara this is an exquisite paper, where did you get the inspiration?” “Well Father, I was inspired by my mother’s old table.” Sara replies. “I would lie to see this table. It intrigues me.” says Fr. Rocco.
After the wedding, all are gathered around me. The family eats, laughs, and shares the joy of the day. The old man, smiling, turns from the window. He walks back to his store with a twinkle in his eye. “Who is next on the list?” he asks himself, “The Smiths family has needed a chest for some time, and that one made of cedar would be perfect.”
…..
Taking his ass, the master carpenter turns and heads for home. He walks slowly, thinking of his son and wife. He wonders what his son will do when he is grown. Will he be a carpenter? Or perhaps he has another fate? Only time will tell - but first there is dinner with his family.
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©2007 The Apprentices of St. Joseph