Wine Barrel Lamp

My dad has the best neighbors. But the couple who lives across the street, Don and Linda, are exceptionally awesome. They bring him crappie fish, already fried to perfection, and chocolate chip cookies. Their grandsons mow his yard and their daughter has shoveled the snow from his driveway. They check on him to make sure he’s doing okay. They take the time to visit with him when he’s feeling lonesome. And I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful they were when my mom passed away last year.  Truly, they gave “good neighbor” a whole new meaning.

So when they asked last summer if I’d mind bringing them an empty wine barrel (because I live in an American Viticultural Area – a geographical wine grape growing region- where empty wine barrels abound), I happily stuffed one in my vehicle and delivered it to their door where they promptly paid for it although I would have gladly given it to them. They were so excited to get the barrel. Don, who I’m convinced can make anything, turned half the barrel into a coffee table for their daughter and her husband. I’m not sure what he did with other parts and pieces of the barrel.

But when we were visiting Dad last weekend, Don came over carrying this:

In his humble, aw-shucks way, he gave me the lamp and told me he made it out of leftover pieces of the barrel I’d brought down to say thanks for me bringing it.

Oh, my goodness! I was flabbergasted. The lamp is so unique and so beautifully made, and I love it. It now has a place of honor in our guest room. But more than that, every time I look at that lamp, I think of my dad’s wonderful neighbors who’ve become wonderful friends.

Thank you so much, Don and Linda, for being you!