As I shared in the last post, the time during which I gave birth to my first daughter was a time filled with excitement and trepidation as I made preparations to bring home this tiny new addition to our family. What I found after her birth was that I was far less concerned with filling her room with toys, stuffed animals, and fancy clothing – things that were of no interest to her in these early months – as I was with putting memories together for her; things that would be sentimental gifts for her when she was older. But who knew that – in addition to the baby books, the photographs, and the journals – that a grandfather clock would wind up being the most precious touchstone of all?

The grandfather clock came into our lives right after our daughter was born; we were looking at many different grandfather clocks to occupy the entrance in our new home. There were so many styles to choose from – contemporary, traditional, country, eclectic; I couldn’t believe how many designs were available and on the Internet no less, where we could shop at our convenience.

We eventually did find the perfect grandfather clock for our home but what really sealed the deal was when it first arrived and we had just set it up in its new home. When the hour turned the grandfather clock began to chime and my daughter, who was now five weeks old, turned her little head to the clock and smiled for the first time. They were fast friends after that.

The grandfather clock has stood sentry in our home watching our daughter – and later, our son – grow these past years. When I look at our grandfather clock I will always see my daughter’s first smile; and for her, this grandfather clock that has always been in her life will forever be a memory of childhood.