Sunday, July 21, 2013

The Tale Of 'That' Treasure Chest


I don't normally write consecutive posts quite so close together, however a little while back, I promised you all I'd share the story of my beloved keepsake chest 'one day'. This evening, on the fourth anniversary of my Dad's passing, I figured it was a fitting day to write about it...



I can clearly remember my seventeenth birthday.  Several weeks before it, I had stumbled across a cute, metal treasure chest of my Dad’s.  With its smooth rounded top, studded detailing and simple design, I fell in love with it immediately, begging Dad to let me have it.  He refused and a battle erupted between us.  In true self-absorbed teenage fashion, I couldn’t fathom his unreasonableness and viewed his stance as stubborn.  Not one to express his feelings in those days or to share with me just how precious that box was to him and why, we found ourselves at loggerheads and didn’t talk for a week. 

It wasn’t until years later that I discovered my Pop had made that lovely chest by hand.  It safely held his Dutch war medals, the ribbon from his navy hat and the intricate buttons from his uniform, pieces so very precious to my Dad having lost his father at the age of fifty (when he himself was still very much a boy at only eighteen).  That keepsake box was special to him because of the memories it contained and the connection it held to a loved one lost far too early.

And so it is that years later, history has repeated itself and the same treasure chest has found its way into my possession, the war memorabilia it held having since been passed on to my aunty.  When my Dad passed away on this day four years ago, and we later began the heartbreaking task of sorting through his possessions, the one thing I wanted to inherit more than anything was that treasure box.  Not because I still longed for it the way I did as a seventeen year old, but because I now understood… I understood all that it symbolised and why my Dad had been so unwilling to part with it.  I knew he would want me to have it.  

Sitting on the bookshelf in our living room, today it holds my keepsakes of my own Dad’s…the key ring he carried with him every day, an East Fremantle Football Club pin, a few of his rings and several of his dinky cars (collectibles by now I’m sure but purely sentimental to me). 

Every day, I walk past that much coveted and much admired treasure chest, feeling the cruel irony that after our battle way back in my teenage years, I can now say it is mine. 

Today, I’d trade a thousand of those chests, if only I could have my dear Dad here with me again…


Today is the fourth anniversary of my Dad’s passing, a day which I carry with a heavier heart than previous years, 
harder now that more and more has happened in my life that my Dad has sadly missed out on being a part of…
One of my favourite posts I've ever written was the one from this day last year, where I shared what happened on the day my Dad died -
it somehow captured how deeply I miss him, how much he was loved and my effort to live a life he'd be proud of... 


18 comments:

  1. That is such a beautiful story, a treasure box that is so dearly treasured by you, so so special. Having those things near to you must make you smile, those fond memories you have and the moments you shared with your much loved Dad. My dear friend my thoughts are with you today, I can't imagine how you must feel just know that I am thinking of you. Hugs Catherine xxxooo

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  2. Amanda you have written this piece so well. What a wonderful memory to have of your father, and to know it was so treasured by him. Thinking of you on this hard day x

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  3. Lovely post(s) Amanda, I'm sure you willl never forget the important things. It's a beautiful treasure box and a beautiful story behind it.

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  4. Amanda, I remember the Post you did a year ago. It was truly beautiful. How can it be another year gone already?! And this is another beautiful Post honouring your Dad's memory. That chest is so precious. I can't imagine how you must feel with each and every anniversary but I'm thinking of you xxx

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  5. what a beautiful post on such a difficult day for you.

    after reading your moving post, i don't think you should feel guilty or bad about wanting the chest so badly and then finally receiving it later on -- just think if your dad had given it to you freely as a seventeen year old, it might not have had the same meaning for you as it does now. you might have even stored it away after some years (once we grow from teenagers our tastes sometimes change)...this way it has become something so special and precious to you that it really has become a 'treasure chest'.

    thinking of you.

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  6. This is another lovely post remembering your dad Amanda
    The chest is certainly a beauty- I can imagine your little poppet may have her eyes on it for her treasures soon
    Thinking of you
    x

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  7. Awwww, what a beautiful poignant post. The joys of teenagers and of deep, beautiful, special people. He must have been a wonderful man.

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  8. Ohhhh. A beautifully written post Amanda - I think your dad would be very happy to know that you have the chest now and cherish it xxx

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  9. What is a beautiful way to remember your father, Amanda. Those objects that he must have held in his hands so many times, held within a box crafted by his own father. A true piece of family history.

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  10. I'm sending you thoughts and much much love today, beautiful. Your dad knows how much you love him and treasure his memory. xxx

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  11. Thank you for sharing something so personal. My heart goes out to you...

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  12. A very beautiful, very special part of your Dad. x

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  13. Oh Amanda, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank for sharing this beautiful post.
    That chest is truly special.
    Ronnie xo

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  14. What a significance a simple box can have in a person - a family's life. I am so sorry to hear you lost your father. You write so beautifully about your connection to him, to his passing and to history. What a beautiful blog you have Amanda. x

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  15. What a beautiful story about your Dads box. Thinking of you at this hard time and just think your Dad will be smiling looking down on you saying see she got my box in the end anyway and you'll never let it go xx

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  16. That chest is beautiful. As is this post. Sending much love and strength to you. Xx

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  17. Thank you for sharing this special keepsake, Amanda. I agree, as the years go by you realize how much your loved ones just didn't get to share with you. I'm happy that you have this lovely part of your Dad to remember him by. x

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  18. I can still recall that touching post from last year. Love to you xxx

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