Sitting here in the middle of my antique store, I find myself thinking of my Daddy frequently as he always loved antiques and had lots of stories to tell about when he was growing up. He passed away in 2005 and I still miss him like it was yesterday. But the memories he has left behind warm my heart today and always will.
As a child, he would come home and lift me up and give me kisses and hugs - I always knew how much he loved me. Many times when he came home, he would bring me a little something. In my early teens he would bring me 45 rpm records which I still have today packed away in my little pink plastic carrying case with the girl on the front dressed in a poodle skirt and dancing. I would listen to the music and practice and practice - then the next day when he came home I would perform for him. My record player was in the basement and he would go down and sit on the couch for my performance. I would turn on the record and then go back up to the top of the stairs for my grand entrance as I sang and danced to the record for him. It was pure joy to have him watch me, and clap and laugh and sing with me.
When I was older, married with a child, I moved away from my hometown far away to Florida. When Mother and Daddy would come to visit, he would always bring me a little "something". He brought me things like a horse collar with a mirror in it, an old green bottle with a porcelain lid, an old railroad lantern, and more. I often wondered how he went about selecting his prize to bring to me but it truly didn't matter what it was - it was a gift from him. He always loved old things and like many of us, accumulated way too many. So he would go about his workshop or basement room in search of the perfect treasure to bring to me and it always came with a story. I have always kept these gifts as special remembrances of him and his visits to my home. I always knew how much he loved me.
No matter what was going on, Daddy always had insightful stories and comments to make that seemed somehow to make sense out of trials and troubles and daily challenges. He would always take the time to lend a hand or offer words of encouragement. Even though he is gone, I remember all his tall tales (we called them Harrison stories because they were always stretched a little to make the point), and they dwell within my heart to give me strength and the ability to move on through the obstacles of life. I always knew how much he loved me.
In my daily contact with people in my antique store and otherwise, I hear stories of all kinds of problems and concerns, illnesses, and troubles. I find myself with a story to tell or encouraging comments to share which I'm quite sure came mostly from my Daddy. If I can help someone find strength within themselves, or maybe even see the humor in what is going on, I feel like I have fulfilled my purpose for the day. So many opportunities come up to be a positive force in the world, and I like to place myself out there so I can at least try to pass on a little sunshine. It's just my Daddy coming out in me - I always knew how much he loved me.
Being around antiques always make me think back of times past, times with my grandparents and parents that made me into the person I am today. Antiques can be a lot like inspiring words - they evoke pleasant memories of a time gone by and inspiration and lessons learned. I hear so many comments in my shop from people reminescing about their parents and grandparents as they discover items they remember from their childhood. It is good to remember the good times past and draw inspiration and strength from those memories. Happy Father's Day, Daddy - I always knew you loved me.
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