Lane Hope chest

In reading Simple Abundance

I am reminded of a family tradition we once had in

the Collins home.

When a girl graduated we received a Lane Hope chest

from our parents.

I had not thought of my Hope chest in many years,

reminded today by a reading in SA.

Children today do not even know what a Hope chest is for.

It saddens me to realize that the tradition has died.

It was a source of excitement my senior year

knowing that I could choose my Lane Chest.

Dad didn't care which one I got or how much

it costed, we all got one.

I wanted one with a seat on the top so I began

looking at all Lane made until I found the

one that I loved.

It smelled cedar, all of the Lane chests were cedar.

It had the most awesome seat on the top.

When given to me at graduation I right away began

to fill it with those things that young girls at the time

were told needed to go into it.

Things like dish towel, dishes, bed linens.

I had fun filling the chest.

After marriage the chest was empty and I began

to fill mines with things that meant something to me.

Cards given to me from loved ones,

things I had written, my journals.

Then Hurricane Juan came and flooded our home.

The Lane chest was lost, my sister, Veronica lost hers too.

It was probably the one thing that I cried the most over loosing.

It was the last gift I think I had gotten from my daddy before

he died two years after giving me the gift.

I thought of trying to salvage it but that could not be.

The waters of Juan had taken that tradition with it.

Today I realize that the tradition has died not just in our

home but in the homes of most in Louisiana.

We now live in a world that if you need/want something

you can usually just buy it.

Most of today younger generation don't even

understand the concept of a HOPE chest.

What a great thing it would be if we brought this love

for a chest back alive.

I do believe Jillian will have a Hope chest when she graduates

from high school. Then I can help her fill it with all those

things she may one day need in her adult life.

When I go on my treasure adventures and spot a wooden box,

because I love wooden boxes, I always look for the Lane name

in them. Back in the day, the Lane company made small

versions of their cedar boxes to give to each who purchased

the full sized versions of a chest.

I have two engraved with the Lane name that I found on one of

those treasure hunts.

So you ladies reading this, or you daddy's:

speak to your daughters about Hope chests and what their

purpose and meaning once was.

HOPE one thing we can all use more of.