Mixed Media/ Cedar Shingles

The urgency of the surgery brought my Grandmother out for a visit. As a high school teacher, she knew just how to pique my interests, she gifted me a small wooden box. It had simple carvings and a picture of a horse on the top. At the closure was a little gold lock. I was immediately curious as to what was in the little treasure box. My Grandma told me that there were indeed treasures in the box, but I was not to open the box until I was totally recovered. The bait worked. I stared at the box next to my bed daily. It was a powerful healing tool.

Eventually I did get to open the box. It was filled with a curious collection of things: a tiny porcelain vase, costume jewelry, a little porcelain miniature deer family and other unusual objects. My most vivid memory was the smell of the cedar lining the box. I am not sure if it was the anticipation of having to wait to see what was inside or the pungency of the scent, but every time I smell cedar I think of this special memory.