Ever since I was young, I’ve
enjoyed antiques. What is it about an old object that is interesting? Well, so
many things! First, antiques represent a former time when items were built with
care and quality. Items from our former generations were built to last and with
a little upkeep, they will. Whether a 1930’s toaster, an 1880’s rocking chair,
or 1920’s end table, products were built to be durable. A lot of end tables
today are usually built of cheaper wood which chip or break easily and toasters
are cheap to buy and are easy to replace. Back decades ago, toasters cost more
and when one broke, you were to take it to a local store, usually down main street to get it fixed. With love and care, my three toasters from 1909-1930
are still working better than any new toaster.
Many people have asked, why did I
buy that for? What are you going to do with that? In regards to when I acquire
a new antique. I’ve bought and gotten antiques free at many different venues
including garage sales, flea markets, antique stores, thrift stores, and found
them elsewhere such as on a curb. My last one for free was found via Craigslist
so I always keep my eyes out. What’s fun about getting a worn out antique is
understanding the item’s life. What is the items past and where has it been? The
item was built so long ago and constructed to be useful. I have compared myself
to antiques many times which is why I have a love for restoring forgotten about
antiques. People sometimes are forgotten about and left to fall apart.
Sometimes, people are broken and shattered inside and sit, needing to be
repaired before they are beyond repair. Sometimes it’s too late and people and
things cannot be fixed. But, it’s important to find that challenge beforehand
so it’s not too late and once you find what needs to be fixed, fix it and bring
life back to the forgotten.
Antiques often sit forgotten
about until they are found and either sold cheap or given away or sadly and
worse, thrown away. People often sit, sad and depressed, fragile and broken,
waiting for someone to cross their path and show care and concern. I’ve sat
like that before and felt just like a forgotten about, uncared for antique. One
way I felt less lonely and to serve more of a purpose was to help antiques that
were forgotten about like I was. I’ve restored many old radios, televisions,
electronics, appliances, and a variety of furniture. All the work and pain sanding,
staining, painting, soldering, and so forth with the antiques, it felt so great
seeing a finished project – especially in regards to electronics. Once safe,
plugging in that old appliance or electronic item and hearing sound come from
the item such as a radio made the whole trouble worth it. To bring life back to
the forgotten is quite satisfying. I hope my wife feels the same way with me.
She brought life back to me as I was once the forgotten about antique, that sad
feeling of being old and unwanted with no purpose in life. She and I crossed
paths and she brought me into her life and repaired me and brought me back to
life once again.
