My heirloom clock.

[Ronni]

This clock is my only heirloom from my parents. It sustained damage during the bombings of the Second World War, but the wood was repaired and it continued valiantly on, ticktocking through the years, reliably chiming every hour and half hour.

I grew up to the sound of those chimes. Even before I could tell time, my Mum would have me count the number of chimes to let me know it was time to leave for school, dinner time, time to go to bed etc. Though I’ve had the clock my whole life it hasn’t worked for most of it. but regardless the clock has traversed three continents and remains my only physical connection to my heritage.

My amazing, caring, loving husband had it repaired for me! He found the ONLY antique clockmaker in the whole of Tennessee! and waited 6 months till she could repair it. I cried when he told me what he’d done. I sobbed when I heard those chimes, such a nostalgic and heartfelt reminder of my childhood, and a sound I never thought I’d hear again.

My eyes are still filling with tears each time I hear it chime, and I’m ok with that.

 

[Aunt Marg]

Your post has touched me in so many ways this morning, Ronni.

First off, how wonderful what your husband did. A real beauty it is.

I, too, inherited a mantle clock very similar in style to yours when my parents passed away, and it sits proud in our home, with a two-tone chime movement that still chimes as beautifully as I remember it chiming when I was a young child growing up.

Like yourself, I find comfort and peace in the chiming, while at the same time I am visited by an aching hurt, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[RadishRose]

I'm glad you have your clock working again @Ronni ! The chimes sound clear and rich. Whatta guy, huh?

 

[fmdog44]

Who doesn't like old clocks?

 

[Aunt Marg]

Who doesn't like old clocks?

I'm with you on that, FM!

 

[Ronni]

It’s been amazing. I posted the clock video and an accompanying post on facebook and Instagram so my various family and extended family members (both bio and of my heart) could know this latest development.

Ron and I both cried at the tremendous response! My various kids shared their stories and recollections of the clock. Their friends=kids who I treated as my own also chimed in with their stories. My brother’s kids (my brother has been gone a long time) who are now grandparents shared their recollections and fond memories of that clock on their Nanny and Grandad’s mantle (my mum and dad) and how its chimes engaged so many wonderful childhood memories.

I had no idea this legacy would touch so many. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to my sweet husband, and humbled at the many wonderful stories!!

This is a good day!!

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I have a mechanical wall clock, "clocky". Right now, he's being fixed. I have this 'thing' about the clock. I have to wind it once a month. So as long as it keeps ticking, I'm alive to wind it. I don't believe it's like a Twilight Zone episode that if the clock stops, I'll die. But it'll tick as long as I can wind it. Most of the time, I ignore the chimes, but it doesn't seem like home without my "clocky".