Grandma’s Sled



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Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

Years ago, it had to be in the 70’s, my mom and I drove out to St. Louis, Missouri to help my Grandmother move into an apartment.  Her home had been in the family since 1891 .  The house had seen a lot of action over the years.  My great great grandmother lived there first with some of her 12 kids, though not all lived to adulthood.  She died in 1915 but by then her youngest child, my great grandmother,was living in the house with her husband. My grandmother (born 1909) and her brother grew up there, my dad was also born and  raised there.  At some point, another family moved into the first floor and shared the only bathroom which was located on the second floor.

The house had seen better days when we showed up, but it was full of memories and history.  We had only a couple of days to pack her up, put into a uhaul what we wanted to salvage and set her up in her new home.  One of the pieces that we pulled out of the basement was this old wooden sled.  We couldn’t possibly leave it behind knowing that my dad had used it when he was a child.

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

This picture had to have been taken around 1932. That’s  my dad on the front with a friend and my grandmother pulling the sled.

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

At the time, we didn’t realize that it’s history went even farther back.   This picture shows the same sled with my grandmother sitting in a soapbox atop the sled while my great grandfather gives her a ride.

Well, the sled came home and my mom  and dad used it around their home.  At Christmastime it would sport a bow and wreath or it was in front of a sunny window holding my Mom’s collection of houseplants (she had quite the green thumb).Well time passes, my dad got cancer and passed about 6 years ago and my mom was now in the position of packing up and moving out of her beloved home.  Somehow I was able to wrestle the sled away from my 4 brothers and sisters and I am now the proud owner of the sled.

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

Most of the year the sled is mounted to the wall in my dining room holding a teapot, a few candles and the picture of my grandmother as a little girl.

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

 During the holidays it plays host to an ever expanding collection of Santa Clauses.

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

Old Wooden sled, sled shelf, wooden sleigh, diy shelves

 

So this holiday, take a few minutes to reflect upon the past, how far we’ve come and where we have been.  I hope  all your memories are happy ones. 

Vintage Wooden Sled

Vintage Wooden Sled

Click here to make your own “vintage” sled .

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