The Cedar Chest <http://www.guideposts.com/story/mysterious-ways-old-cedar-chest>http://www.guideposts.com/story/mysterious-ways-old-cedar-chest She thought she’d lost all connection to her father. By Mary Frances Williams, Quincy, Florida October, 2004 I sat up in bed and tried to clear my head. I dreamed I was visiting an older woman who said her name was Pearl. There in her living room was my old cedar chest. It had a sad history. I hadn't laid eyes on that chest in more than 30 years. I would have recognized it anywhere, though. The simple lines, the delicate hinges, the clear finish that protected the beauty of the wood. My father came from a long line of woodworkers. They had a tradition of welcoming each new baby in the family with a handmade cedar chest. Dad's uncle had hewn the cedar and crafted the chest just for me. It stood at the foot of my bed, a constant reminder to me of how much I was loved. Then my parents had a bitter divorce, and Dad took my brothers to live with him. He threw their clothes into the chest and carried it out the door. With it, it seemed, went my best childhood memories. Come on, Frances, I told myself. Forget the dream. You've got to get to work. I was a volunteer services coordinator, and I'd booked a gospel choir from out of town to perform at our local hospital. I got there early to greet the choir. The members filed in. I could hardly believe my eyesthere was the woman from my dream! "This is going to sound odd," I said to her. "I had a dream last night...and you were in it." She smiled. "Really?" I couldn't resist asking, "Your name wouldn't be Pearl, would it?" Her eyes widened. "My name is Pearl." "I was visiting you. You had a small chest sitting in your living room...." "What did it look like?" Her expression turned serious. "Natural cedar. Simple. Small hinges. Beautiful, clear finish. My dad took it with him when he left my mother." She touched my arm. "Was your dad Earnest?" "How did you know?" "Your father was my cousin. One day he came by and gave me the chest for safekeeping. I held on to it all these years. Now I know why." <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Custom Faith-based U.S. Postage <*}}}>< + <*}}}>< <http://astore.amazon.com/halthekin-20>Catholic on Amazon <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/on+allposters+today.html>on AllPosters today <*}}}>< + <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Holy Postage <*}}}>< <*}}}><<http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Kingdom!<*}}}>< + "A person is a person, no matter how small." Dr. Seuss <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Custom Faith-based U.S. Postage <*}}}>< + <*}}}>< <http://astore.amazon.com/halthekin-20>Catholic on Amazon <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/on+allposters+today.html>on AllPosters today <*}}}>< + <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Holy Postage <*}}}>< <*}}}><<http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Kingdom!<*}}}>< + "A person is a person, no matter how small." Dr. Seuss --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Catholics on Fire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
