My mother had a hope chest
An old wooden cedar chest
One that was built and given to her
By her brother when he was still in highschool.

I never saw the things she placed inside it
When she was still using it for hope
I only saw what she had placed there later
When she had begun to use it for memories
After she and daddy were married in 1948

Sometimes she would allow us girls
A peek at all the memories she held there
Safe within the aromas
Of the cedar lining
Of that old cedar chest

I remember one year
On the occasion of their anniversary
Mama opened up the cedar chest
And took out a handmade satin wedding gown
She had sewn at the age of twenty-nine.

She put it on, and the seams were just a bit
Too tight but she glowed
As daddy took her picture of her and her girls

Then later she took that picture and placed it back
Within the old cedar chest with all the other
Photo memories that were there
Of her and daddys wedding
And all the other special family photos
Of our grandparents and aunts and uncles
And our baby books

The cedar chest held many memories
Of so many things that were past
There was daddy's Purple Heart
His old Army uniform
Photo's of his military days
Old pictures he took in World War II

The lid of the old cedar chest
Was very seldom opened
Except for a special occasion
For there was not much time
For old memories
Mom and dad were too busy
Keeping their hopes alive
And fluffing the soft pillows
Of their dreams.