My three daughters lined up on the swing with Isabel, our weenie dog, and Sammy, the three-legged cat, on the first day of school. My husband built the swing of heavy cypress, and it hung in the breezeway between the house and the carport. The picture was taken in 1997 and took some time for me to find. (I got lost in the trip down memory lane through albums of photos.) I remembered that we took the first day of school picture every year on this cypress swing outside our back door. Digging through the photos, I only found two. The second one was taken in 1998, and Maggie had outgrown first-day-of-school photos, so it was only the younger two. (And Izzy and Sammy, of course)
Fast forward almost 20 years. The swing has been sitting in our carport ever since we moved to this house 12 years ago. We’ve just never found the right spot for it. Our cats have enjoyed finding a dry spot to hang out, and we’ve used it to hold various things that tend to land in a carport. It gathered dirt and leaves while the paint peeled.
A few weeks ago, our oldest daughter bought a house with her boyfriend. They are engaged to be married this spring. Their new house has a nice front porch just begging for a cypress swing. So Jeff spent a few weekends cleaning, sanding, and painting the infamous swing.
On Sunday, we loaded it into his truck to deliver to its new home.
To me, this is a right of passage, of sorts. The next generation is making their way into this world. The swing has many more years left in it. Solid, strong, and safe… like our family.
I’m glad that swing found the right home! Love you Margaret. Jen
Jennifer Gray Mouton 1109B Lawless Tauzin Breaux Bridge, LA 70517-6339 Jen@waydowninlouisiana.com
Discover, Create, Be at Bonne Terre Cottage! http://www.bonneterrecottage.com
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I love the swing and the pictures and how this tradition is being passed on. A centerpiece of sorts. Thanks for sharing the progression and the pictures.
I have so many memories of porch swings at various places in my life. What a wonderful thing to give your swing to your daughter and future son-in-law.
A swing of memories for all to cherish anew. Beautiful slice, Margaret!
How wonderful that your swing will have a new home where it will be loved!
Margaret, it is always so special to pass a treasured memory on so our children can make new memories with it. (BTW: How wonderful that there will be another wedding.)
I love this! When we downsized, a lot of our furniture made its way to various places and various states. I love how those pieces got new life and gave their owners new joy. Now we need to see your daughter and her fiance swinging in it!
Love the pic of your cat on the old swing. Your cat reminds me of my cat, Hadley! It always brings a smile to be reminded of our family friend who spent 16 years with our family.