The Clock

 

My grandfather died when he was just 39. It was 1952 and he left behind a wife and two young children, ages 6 and 9. My grandma worked but things were always very tight for money and she almost always did jobs on the side every evening and weekend to make ends meet. She would do laundry for people, she was an amazing seamstress and made clothing for people, and anything else that would bring in a few more dollars. My mom remembers my grandma saying she wasn't very hungry sometimes in the evening to be sure that the kids ate dinner first and got what they needed. My grandma was a very resourceful and handy lady, maybe because of this or in spite of it, I'm not sure.

She used to make cane seats for chairs. She made a rocking chair with a cane seat. She made beautiful doll clothes for my Cabbage Patch kids and even for my Barbie dolls. She could literally make anything if she wanted to. She never remarried so as my mom and my uncle grew up, she was able to change her side jobs into hobbies and do projects for fun.

Well, one day she decided she wanted to make a clock. But not just any clock - a grandfather clock. She knew it would be a big job but she also knew she could do it. So, she ordered a kit. She had to cut out the wood pieces, assemble everything and build the clock. Then she had to assemble and put together all the clock pieces and the pendulum and weight system. It was simply beautiful and she was very proud of it. It sounded amazing and I was mesmerized as a little girl when I would watch her reset the weights and "wind" the clock in the morning.

This clock stood prominently in her living room for the rest of her days. It was always in the same spot like a guard standing watch over her, her home, her family. I always loved the clock. I remember playing Barbies at the base of the clock. I remember laying in bed listening for the chimes to ring and hearing the calm, steady tick in the middle of the night. 

Each picture that was taken for any occasion at Grandma's house was taken in front of that clock. From the time I could stand alone, there are pictures of me in front of it, documenting my growth. Someone came to visit? Take a picture in front of the clock! It's your birthday? Take a picture in front of the clock! It was as much a routine as the chiming of the clock.

The picture above isn't my Grandma's clock. That one is in my mom's house right now. This is the kit that she ordered to build the clock. I looked online for a picture that was similar and found the exact kit she used over 40 years ago to make her clock. Same company, same everything, except if you buy this kit now you pay a whole lot more than she did. Now, the wood comes pre-cut and pre-stained and you just assemble it all. You can even watch a YouTube video to see how to assemble the clock workings. Grandma didn't have a video. She had some directions and a big ol' "best wishes" from the company.

I see why she was proud of it. We are all still proud of it. Someday, it will stand guard in my house. A visible memory of my Grandma for all to enjoy. Maybe a Grandmother Clock?