The Tale of a Rocker

 I have mentioned many times over the years about growing up in a multi-generational home with my paternal grandparents.  I have many fond memories of being rocked by Grandpap in his bentwood rocker.  During the warm months of the year it sat on the back porch and it was understood that it was Grandpap's chair.😀  In the colder months it was always brought inside and sat in the kitchen.  And for some reason, it didn't matter who sat in it during those months.  Some of the first memories I have from childhood is my aunts sitting in that bentwood rocker with me on their lap.  The story is told that one aunt in particular would always say after the meal, "I'll rock the baby while you all do the dishes."  😆😆

I can barely remember the rocker when it was its natural wood colors because after a while whenever Grandma had some extra paint left over from a project, she would paint Grandpap's rocker.  I remember it being green and I also remember it being blue.

It is because of those childhood memories that I have always wanted to own a bentwood rocker.  

A few weeks before my birthday, we met some friends of ours at this lovely Inn and restaurant pictured below.

The Casselman Inn

You will notice that there are two bentwood rockers, one on either side of the bench.  At the time this picture was taken they weren't for sale.  But the day that we met our friends in September for lunch that entire side of the porch had bentwood rockers lined up.  This is in an area where there are several Amish.  As a matter of fact, the Inn is actually owned by Mennonites.  

Strongheart and I arrived a few minutes before our friends, and the weather was beautiful that day so we decided to sit in the rockers while we waited for them.  The rockers were definitely for sale and I jokingly said to Strongheart that one of those would make a really nice birthday gift. 

Our friends arrived and we went in and enjoyed a time of fellowship with them over lunch.  The guys went to do a couple of things after we finished and when we grouped back together, I said to Strongheart, "So, when you paid for the meal, did you go ahead and pay for my rocker?"  I laughed when I said it because I was only teasing.  He said, "No, I didn't, but you can go ahead and pick out the one you want and pay for it."  I stood there for a brief second or two in disbelief but then I went to speak with the lady at the cash register.  We paid for it and brought it home with us.

I realize it isn't everyone's "cup of tea" but it gives me much delight.  There isn't a day goes by but what I think of Grandpap and how he would be happy for me to have it.  

There was also a glider rocker that our friend really liked but it was more expensive than this one.  Her husband said that he would ask around and see who it was that made the chairs.  He feels certain, as we do, that it was made by one of the Amish men in the community.

This is where I sit in the mornings as I read my Bible and pray and enjoy the generosity of my husband.

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

James 1:17