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| A pretty close rendition to the real thing, sans yellow gingham |
Eleven years old found me light years away from feeling like a princess. I was too tall, too awkward and close to 15 pounds too heavy. I was not involved in any sports, there were no dance/ballet classes ~ I was shy, a voracious reader and a beginning closeted writer. Friends were not a big part of my life.
Then one day, I came home from school and my sister Brooke, seven years my senior, and fresh into her new job as an LPN, presented me with my own little piece of the fantasy, frilly girl, princess life I dreamed of.
We went to my bedroom and there stood a beautiful canopy bed. So delicate. So beautiful. So light. White curved posts decorated with gold trim at the carved knobs supported the curved framework above the bed where the yellow gingham canopy rested. Between the matching head and footboards lay the matching yellow gingham bedspread and dust ruffle. By far, the most exquisite piece of furniture (hadn’t even dreamed of for myself, and here it was) I’d ever seen. Made me feel like a princess. Delicate. Special. Light.
For years I lay under that canopy. I wrote. I read. I daydreamed. I transported myself to a different life where I was … delicate. Special. Light.
Today my house décor has no frills. There is no outward trace of fantasy or princesses. I’m still shy and awkward on some levels and I still carry those extra 15 pounds. Friends, well, I’m fortunate to have a few. And I read. And I write. And I’m a mom. And I’m a wife.
And my husband, well he makes me feel like a princess. Our life is the canopy above me. But it’s more than that. It’s my whole life. There’s a foundation to me now ~ to how I feel about myself. It’s built up over time. One layer, one proof of faith, one proven moment after another. Obstacles overcome. Goals met.
Our house may not have any frills of my canopy bed. No ruffles. No gold gilded framework. But it carries the framework of something better for me. My canopy now carries the simple, classic, uncluttered lines of a good, honest life. Thanks to my sister Brooke for the dream that became my reality. I am one lucky woman.
Oh, Amy, I love canopy beds--always wanted one, still do. You describe it so well and then you extend the metaphor so beautifully to apply to your life now. This is masterful. You are lucky, my friend, and talented as well! Beautifully done.
ReplyDeletePretty bed, although I wouldn't like to have to iron all those ruffles!
ReplyDeleteVery very pretty -- fit for a princess indeed.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. Love it. I really needed this type of inspiration today. I, too, had a canopy bed as a little girl, and I, too, wrote hour after hour on my pink girly princessy duvet. I'll never forget the day I came home from school, and Momma had placed a brand new Strawberry Shortcake doll--the one who blew strawberry kisses--at the center of my frilly pillows.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful memories.
Stopping by from the A-Z Challenge + new follower. Hello! :)
I remember that bed, Amy and I love the way you've made the connection between your childhood bed and your life now. I don't know that I ever realized that it was a gift from Brooke but I'm sure she would be thrilled to know just how much it meant to you. The gingham? That reminds me of your mom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I love this: "Our life is the canopy above me. But it’s more than that. It’s my whole life. There’s a foundation to me now ~ to how I feel about myself. It’s built up over time. One layer, one proof of faith, one proven moment after another. Obstacles overcome. Goals met." SO much!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post-- I always wanted a canopy bed growing up-- I never got one :(. I loved reading this--felt like I was there!!
ReplyDeleteThis was wonderful!! I went from bunk beds to a canopy bed when I was little and I loved it!!
ReplyDeleteKathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
how awesome is that.... that a canopy had such an impact on you.. and you see it as a symbol in your life. nice write.
ReplyDeletelovely post. And as we age, we still need that canopy underwhich to create and dream. I seek out mine daily. In blogging, I suppose....:))
ReplyDeleteThank you all for posting and your insightful and encouraging comments. The responses have been more than I ever imagined they would be. What great encouragement!
ReplyDeleteI too always wanted a canopy bed and never got it (I guess my parents though bunk beds were close enough). I did get something I do treasure, though: a bookcase headboard to store books. I quickly grew my collection past the headboard, and I still have a great love of books, so maybe I should be happy that I never got that canopy :P
ReplyDeleteAurora Celeste
yasff.blogspot.com
dramaticthreads.com
I also love the life and canopy bed analogy, but more than that I love that you again thank your sister for giving you a dream you had yet to dare dream.
ReplyDeleteI was completely immersed in this post and I adore you. ♥
Well...I thought we would be at least 1/2 way into this A-Z thing before you made me CRY...this hits so close to home...and I can only thank God for the blessings He has given to us both <3
ReplyDeleteBut you cried on "C" day,so how fitting! :)Thanks for stopping by!
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