The Moments in Wooden Flooring – 2#The Legacy of Warmth

Grandfather’s craftsmanship was renowned on the island. He always said that pine was the warmest wood, with clear grain and soft texture, making it the best choice for flooring. Due to its lightweight and ease of processing, pine is widely used in floor manufacturing, especially in humid environments like islands, as it maintains long-term stability with proper maintenance.

Every time the rainy season passed, Grandfather would bend down and tap the floorboards to make them fit more snugly. He would also use a handmade wood rasp to trim the edges and corners, ensuring each plank fits tightly with no gaps. Afterward, he would carefully wax each board. The wax enhanced the floor’s shine and created a protective layer, effectively shielding the wood from moisture. He always said, “The floor is like a person; it needs to be cared for with love.”

I placed the soccer ball on the floor, squatting beside my grandfather, watching as he hunched over, his rough fingers gently tracing the grain of the wood, as if caressing a precious treasure.

‘’Grandfather, why do you brush the floor in honey color?’’ I asked curiously.

‘’Because this color is the warmest, just like the sunlight at dusk spilling over the floor,’’ Grandfather replied with a smile. ‘’When you grow up, no matter how far you go, as long as you think of the floor at home, you’ll remember the warmth of home.’’

I nodded, though I didn’t fully understand. The fragrance of the wood mixed with the scent of wax filled the air, giving a sense of comfort and reassurance. Grandfather continued,’ ’This way, the floor can endure the passage of time. Remember, the floor is like a person; it needs to be cared for with love.’’

Time flew by, and before I knew it, I was accepted into university. On the day I left, I stood barefoot on the pine floor, feeling the familiar warmth beneath my feet. Grandfather stood at the door, watching my every step, wanting to say something but holding back. I knew he didn’t want me to leave.

After graduation, I decided to return to the island and open a store specializing in Chanx wood. When I told Grandfather about my decision, he was stunned, and tears welled up in his eyes. He trembled as he took a wooden box from his toolbox, inside which was a well-polished planer.

‘’This is the planner I’ve used for forty years,’’ he said, placing it in my hand.’’Now it’s yours. Remember, making floors and living life are the same – be honest and diligent, and never be careless.’’

On the day of the store opening, Grandfather wore his gray Zhongshan suit, the one he only wore for important occasions. He stood in the store, gazing at the solid wood flooring samples on the walls: pine, small leaf acacia, Jatoba, oak, iroko, Okan, Cumura, Kempas…Each type of wood had its unique characteristics. Among them, Cumaru, known for its fine texture and high hardness, was particularly popular, while oak, with its distinctive mountain-shaped grain and excellent resistance to deformation, was a classic choice.

‘’Grandfather, today’s floors are made by automated machines with precise tongue-and-groove designs, so there’s no need to manually wax and oil them，’’ I said proudly. “They not only retain the natural grain but are also more stable and durable, reducing harmful gas emissions like formaldehyde, making them healthier and more environmentally friendly…”

Grandfather gently ran his hand over the woods he had never seen before, his eyes sparkling with surprise. He smiled like a child, murmuring, “Wonderful, wonderful…”

Now, whenever I see the workers laying down moisture-proof under-layers and installing solid wood floors for customers, I always think of how Grandfather laid the floors by hand all those years ago. The fragrance of pine still lingers, as if time has never passed. In those wood grains, lies Grandfather’s love for me, as well as my most precious memories. The warmth of solid wood floors will always continue, just like the warmth of home, forever present.