The old wardrobe sat quietly to the side, trying to hide her tears. The church yard sale was almost over, and she hadn’t been sold. Of course she hadn’t. Who would want to drag her home? She was nothing but tattered junk. Old and worn through, no good to anybody anymore. Her beauty had long since faded, sure, but she had foolishly hoped she could still be useful. Her hopes sank further as she heard the snickering of teenage boys preparing to toss her in the dump pile.
But what’s this? They weren’t headed to the dump pile; they hoisted her up and placed her in the back of an SUV! Somebody had bought her? Why, this was too good to be true.
She arrived at her new home and stared face-to-face at her new owner, but she still refused to believe it.
Tami seemed like a nice lady, but she couldn’t possibly repair all the damage that had been done over the years. And why would she want to try? But still, the old wardrobe seemed to whisper, “Don’t give up on me!”
And Tami listened.
Through the blood, sweat, tears, curses, ridicule, and hours of labor, Tami listened. She coaxed out the beauty that was within her all along.
So don’t forget to remember that story whenever you have one of those days where you feel like a pile of junk too. You’re not! You have more worth and beauty that you know! I said so, and I know about these things.
See more to the story at Curb Alert.
25 Comments
CandiceMcC
November 4, 2014 at 7:22 AMAre you kidding me? How can people do that?! Amazing.
Ariela
November 4, 2014 at 9:23 AMDear Lord! that’s gorgeous…Tami’s another “wood whisperer!!”
Valerie Gibby
November 4, 2014 at 10:11 AMIt’s so fun to read all your funny stories! Thanks for bringing fun the my day 🙂
Peggy
November 4, 2014 at 10:36 AMWhat a phenomenal restoration! Yay, Tami! You’ve brought out details that must have been hidden for decades in a very dry environment. Thank you for seeing the beauty of this piece and sharing it with us!
Heather
November 4, 2014 at 11:06 AMI don’t normally comment on blog posts but I just feel really compelled to on this one. First of all, that is a beautifully restored heirloom treasure that will continue to function and bring beauty for years to come. Secondly, your last paragraph, that talked about the hidden beauty and worth in us all almost brought me to tears. This society we are in, is so quick to throw away both things and people. And every time that I create a new piece, reimagine an old one or bring a treasure back to life, in some way, I’m revealing my own beauty and worth. I hope my daughters see me as someone who finds value in working with their hands, creating, imagining, working hard for the simple sake of showcasing someone else’s beauty (be it person or piece.) So thanks for that little light today.
Stephanie, Sandpaper and Glue
November 4, 2014 at 11:27 AMoh man– awesome restoration! it looks great 🙂
Amy Lynn
November 4, 2014 at 11:48 AMHoly crap! I have that same wardrobe right now and it’s really starting to get beat up from it’s previous owner. I don’t want to mess up the wood myself, so I’m going to have a professional redo it for me. 🙂 I hope it turns out as well as Tami’s! 🙂
Amanda
November 4, 2014 at 1:02 PMBeautiful!!!! Love that she didn’t paint it. I can appreciate a painted piece, but most of the time it would be better with some TLC. Great job Tami!!!
Mumzy
November 4, 2014 at 3:30 PMBeautiful jobs on her makeover and your writing skills!!!! AWESOME!!!
rachael
November 4, 2014 at 5:17 PMOh, Tami! I saw the leader photo and thought, “great, I bet they painted it.” Wow–so glad to have been wrong. Beautiful job on this restoration. Thanks for not taking the easy way by slapping a coat of paint on it. The results, I hope you agree, are well worth the effort!
Kimberly
November 4, 2014 at 6:22 PMWow! I totally expected her to have scraped off all the chipping veneer and paint it. I was stunned when I scrolled down. This one is very, very impressive! I don’t even know how in the world one would go about repairing all that damage and bringing it back to such beauty!
Becky Warner
November 4, 2014 at 6:25 PMStunning!!!
LeeAnn
November 4, 2014 at 6:33 PMThat is so beautiful. I love that she restored the wood.
istuke
November 4, 2014 at 6:39 PMLike everyone else, I expected to scroll down and see a fun, painted piece. My jaw dropped when I scrolled down. Aaahh, Beautiful wood… And, although I love your funny stories, your commentary was meaningful and timely today! (Kinda had a Dr. Seuss ring to it…) Thanks for sharing today!
Seana
November 4, 2014 at 8:15 PMI audibly gasped at the transformation! Such beautiful grain, I’m so glad she saw the hidden jewel and didn’t just slap some paint on it. Great write up too.
staci
November 4, 2014 at 9:39 PMThat might be your best intro yet! So fun 🙂
(The makeover was great, too.)
Mar
November 5, 2014 at 4:52 AMHow did you repair veneer on the side, right side?
Bee
November 5, 2014 at 5:58 AMWho knew so much awesomeness was hiding underneath all that grime and dust? Bringing out the beauty of that piece must have been hard–good work. And thanks for the dramatic back story!
Kelly @ Turned up to Eleven!
November 5, 2014 at 7:17 AMHURRAY for refinishing it back to it’s original loveliness!!!
While I am all for self expression, and most of the time will love a fresh coat of bright paint on an old item, my heart loves wood, original wood, stained wood, and fixed up wood. EXCELLENT WORK! ox
Tami @ Curb Alert!
November 5, 2014 at 8:02 AMLindsey, I am blown away by all of the above comments re: the armoire and your story of beauty along with it is priceless. Thanks for the feature!
~Tami Michel
Denette
November 5, 2014 at 9:52 AMYou are such a great short story writer/teller. I love reading what you write. And the makeover on this piece is incredible. I can’t believe she was able to save so much wood.
Lindsey @ Better After
November 5, 2014 at 10:43 AMAwww, thanks so much Denette! 🙂
Chantell Patrick
November 6, 2014 at 8:09 AMLindsey, you are a great blogger, a moving writer, and an inspiring motivator. I pray you reach all of your personal goals, whatever they are….and the wardrobe looks really fly too, in a classic kind of way.
Janet
November 6, 2014 at 1:33 PMLOL! I will remember this the next day that I feel like a pile of junk! Love your blog.
Cindy
November 8, 2014 at 1:42 PMI love painted furniture. I paint furniture myself. But this? WOW. I was so excited to see this restored wood. Very beautiful work, Tami. And a beautiful message, Lindsey. xo