I now own this book that my father bought when he was a student at the Graduate School of Theology at Oberlin College. When we were growing up, my sister and I spent hours looking at the pictures and reading the excerpts from the Bible. My two favorite pictures are those below. I liked the way that their hair resembled mine.
During my last visit with my father, in December 1999, the month before he died, I asked him if I could borrow the book. I think he started to say no but then changed his mind and said I could. He was 88 years old and had a heart condition. On February 22, 2000 he died of congestive heart failure in South Carolina. We spent more time together and talked more than we ever had, during the last several years of his life. I am very grateful for that.
I did another Family Bible post My Grandmother Fannie’s Bible.
That is so good that you had that time together. It’s priceless.
I am very thankful for it.
How wonderful that you could share that time together. I sure know the feeling of looking at things as a child, with such awe, and then later having them as my own. Wonderful memories.
Just beautiful Kristin. Precious memories here.
That bible must be very precious to you.
Great Bible, looks large. A great way to remember your Dad.
It’s not really a Bible. It is 8.5 x 11.5, pretty good sized.
Those last few years with your father…wonderful. Perhaps he changed his mind about loaning you the bible because he really wanted you to have it, and knew he would not be there long. Very nice story, Kristin.
That’s what I think too.
That’s a treasure indeed!
A wonderful memento. We were given illustrated Bibles when we started senior school, but nothing as attractive as this, just line drawings. I did have my own little illustrated Bible given to me by my parents when I was ten years old.
I just remembered a little New Testament that my Grandfather gave to all of us in 1955. I was 9 and there are some paintings but it’s not really an illustrated Bible. I guess that will have to take part in my series of Bibles in the family.
I’m going to seek out my little white leather Bible now.
Look forward to seeing it. Mine is black. Some of my children received the same small New Testaments in red or green.
That wonderful book of art and bible excerpts is even more special because of the many years and memories of your family and father. Doesn’t get much better than that.
How wonderful to have a heirloom that conjures up such precious memories.
I have never seen a bible like that with illustrations. It’s really a very good idea.
It’s not actually a Bible, but a book of reproductions of art works based on the Bible, with Bible quotes that go with the various works on each page.
I agree with Deb above, I think he knew. I’ve had old relations hand me things they have treasured only a short time before they died and always thought it was because ‘they knew’. A lovely keepsake for you.
Memories are so often attached to books and especially illustrations. They focus the mind to a tangible item that preserves the memory in a more permanent way. Music is another strong talisman too.
Smells can do it too but they seem to be more transient and unexpected.
What a beautiful post. It’s so nice that you, your dad and the bible got to have those last days together.
Nancy
I loved both posts.
She certainly spared no details about Mershell’s accident, didn’t she!?!
But this post here, I don’t know if I loved more the book,
or the anecdote about your father…
The book looks fascinating.
But the story of these last moments spent with him touched me.
Since you know I had a difficult rapport with my own,
you can understand why seeing others achieving this moves me quite a lot.
🙂
HUGZ
The book is a nice thing to have to remember your father as well as being an interesting way of reading about the Bible.