A very common question is usually asked by someone with an inquiring mind – most commonly younger people.
The box is laid upon a huge oak table in the dining room. Already on the table is a candelabra that contains three lit candles, and a couple of bowls – one containing a variety of fresh fruit and the other a mixture of various types of crystals that appear to glisten in the candlelight.
All the children have rushed into the dining room and surrounded the table – the chatter is intense… Amongst it, one can hear, “Are you opening the box, Grandpa?” The children’s parents arrive to see what all the fuss is about just as Grandpa removes the old worn ribbon that holds the lid on the box.
At one time, the ribbon was a bright yellow and was tied in a bow above the box lid.
Many years have passed since the lid was removed. As Grandpa’s feeble fingers place the ribbon to the side – you can smell the dust rising in the air now. The lid is very carefully lifted to expose a type of velvet crunched up to hold another smaller box. This box is coloured, red and blue with hints of gold around its edges.
Grandpa picks up the smaller box and places it on the table. There is excitement and it builds as Grandpa moves the larger box to the side. Everyone is now standing near as possible to Grandpa.
As Grandpa held the smaller box, everyone could see the tears building in his eyes and then began to roll down his cheeks. He coughed a little and then opened the box. He slowly took the object out of the box and held it to his chest. Then, he said, “This belonged to my great-grandmother”.
The object was a cross. It would have been about 25mm by 35mm. It was gold in colour. Grandpa said the original chain had been lost and it was the only family object that had survived. He said, there had been many stories associated with the cross. But sadly, none of the stories were now known.
All the family looked sad since such a lovely item had been revealed but no one knew anything more about it.
Looking at this story, I am sure everyone can relate to and understand the importance of taking time to write or record the memories of our relatives. Too often, the stories are lost to time.
Do you know the stories behind your, “What’s in the box?”
Ancestor Family 