When the ordinary is actually extraordinary

The other day I found myself looking at the ordinary and seeing the extraordinary.

The picture above appears pretty blank and perhaps meaningless.  This is the (former) fireplace at Mommy and Daddy's house.  This mantel is around 100 years old and is located in what would have been her old family's living room.

So what is extraordinary about this?

Well, years ago before electricity and lights, and stoves, and television, the fireplace was where families gathered.  It was the hub of the house.  Whereas richer families had sitting parlors, regular families often used this area to come together at the end of the day.  The fireplace was the source of heat for warmth and cooking.  It was a source of light.  Maybe Mama would be sewing while Daddy read from the Bible.  Perhaps the children were doing their schoolwork or playing a game.  Here sat extended family when they came for a visit. 

The flickering fire was comforting and an invitation for relaxation.  With this, the hearth became symbolic of the entire home; thus starting the saying "hearth and home".

But even more extraordinary but very appropriate was that such mantels would be elaborately decorated.  Of course, such a featured area of a home would deserve such attention.  The mantel in the picture above was pieced together ornately by Mommy's "Papa".  Her granddaddy, Addison Stephenson, designed this decor.  His hands placed all these pieces, especially impressive in a time of no power tools or such.  Mr. Add (as he was known to many) gave extra care to this family gathering spot.   How meaningful then and how meaningful now.  Still here through the century....pretty extraordinary to me.