Building Memories from Reclaimed Wood

Submitted by Neitcha Thomsen to share via The Aha! Connection

We tend to be the kind of family that hangs on to certain pieces of furniture, dishes, even blankets because of the memories that come up when we see them. We had an old outdoor table and benches that traveled from overseas to Atlanta with us 24 years ago. You can imagine how worn out it became sitting out in the seasons over the years. My husband hated to toss out the set and had saved some of the wood he salvaged from the pieces as they deteriorated.

Recently he contacted the son of one of our friends from our 30 plus year Supper Club. This young man has a small hobby occasionally selling woodworking pieces. He asked him if he could make a tray from the old wood. He created the most beautiful tray out of this reclaimed wood! I enjoyed watching the transformation on his Instagram website. We have some talented young adults in Dunwoody! I look at this tray and I remember all the wonderful family time spent sitting on our back deck in Australia, learning about new cultures, the dinners outside with friends and even childhood birthday parties on that old patio furniture. I have now added another memory to it of time spent with this young man and his family over the years.

Just thought this was something bright that has happened during these stressful times and wanted to share it. How cool that his father passed down to him this skill of woodworking, I love the idea of preserving family memories and at the same time recycling items from our home!

I’ve attached some photos of the bench and the finished tray.

For more information contact the Craftsman:
Eric Szemborski
Eric.szemborski@gmail.com
404-353-7647