Priceless and irreplaceable
There are some things in life that cannot be measured by monetary value, but are priceless and irreplaceable.
Some items we may own have intrinsic value only to us or to those we love, and such items often become family heirlooms.
An heirloom is something of special value handed down from one generation to another often providing a tangible keepsake significant to family history.
The story of our lives is found written on the hearts of those we leave behind and objects that remind them of us.
“Sentimental value,” people often say as they cling to the memories of that loved one each time they look upon a special keepsake they have inherited or been given. Love certainly is the greatest treasure we can share.
Not all priceless paintings hang in galleries or in the homes of the rich and famous. A painting created by a loved one is of immeasurable worth to a family member and increases in value as years go by. Phyllis Carruthers has the last painting her sister Bernice (Carruthers) Beebe completed in 1978.
The oil painting features a cabin in the woods on a moonlit night, done in monochromatic tones. One can see the moonlight
dancing across the snowbanks and frosted tree boughs adding sparkle to the evening calm. One can’t help but notice a trail of footprints randomly appearing between the banks and leading up past the cabin.
Phyllis explained that her sister was using a photograph as reference and didn’t have time to paint in the man. Bernice had joked to her that they would have to say the tracks were left by rabbits. Sadly, Bernice passed away shortly after at the young age of 55 in 1979, after battling cancer.
The family tried to find the reference photo to go with the painting, but to no avail, so the identity of the man missing from the painting is still a mystery.
“Bernice was a gem,” said Phyllis, “and we were very close. We shared a room growing up.” Her eyes still fill with tears as she speaks of her sister.
The two sisters happily grew up in Central New Annan in a large loving Christian family, with parents Edward and Irene (Wilson) Carruthers and nine other siblings.
In 1960, Bernice, her husband Brenton Beebe and their three children Joy, Roger and Ward moved to Cobourg, Ont., to take over the Beebe family shoe business.
Phyllis explained that it was very hard to see them go and she accompanied her sister as far as Montreal before bidding farewell. Phyllis would visit whenever she could.
It was in Cobourg that Bernice discovered the joy of painting and it became one of her favorite hobbies. She especially enjoyed painting landscapes and always valued her Nova Scotia roots.
Many years have passed, but her paintings remain vivid and pristine in appearance as if recently created and are precious heirlooms enjoyed now by several generations.
The painting of the winter scene is much loved by Jessica Beebe, granddaughter of the late Bernice Beebe, who like her grandmother is an artist. Unfortunately grandmother and granddaughter never got to meet, but that painting has spoken to Jessica’s heart and one day will lovingly be passed on to her.
Beebe’s Family Footwear is still known for quality footwear for the entire family and their slogan “Put Yourself In Their Shoes!” Truly, we all leave behind our footprints and can relate to love, loss and legacy as time marches on.
Special heirlooms uniquely connect us to those who have walked before us, putting us in their shoes, bringing life stories forward and keeping family history alive.