In A Dusty Corner

In a dark dusty corner of my roll top desk, in the farthest cubby to the right, lies a little blue cardboard box. The box is the size of a pack of cigarettes. That little fact about the size is important as you will soon see. I take the box out and open it maybe once a year. When I open it, it brings back a flood of memories. In the box is the closest memento I have of my dad who died thirty seven years ago the day after Christmas. It’s a Hamilton watch that was given to him by Jewel Tea Company for twenty five years of employment. It’s engraved on the back.

About ten years ago, I tried to get the watch up and running again. I thought I would wear it to have my dad close to me. Alas, it would have cost several hundred dollars to make it work. I decided to keep it just as a memento. Tough call. I really don’t have much from my dad. A few pictures, very few. I have some historical things, like Civil War draft notices, about our ancestors. But that was mostly from his mom. But I do have his watch. The watch that he wore on his wrist every day. Yet, there it is in the blue box, in the farthest cubby of a dusty corner of my roll top desk.

My dad, were he still alive, would have turned 110 last month. So, of course he wouldn’t be here now, but he was taken way too early. His smoking habit killed him. Too many L&Ms. It was a years long death of hacking coughs and difficulty breathing. Well, there is something I got from him… an aversion to smoking!! I’ve been thinking a lot about him lately as the anniversary of his death approaches.

I want to leave my children more than my dad left me. They won’t be getting any money! I want to leave them a written record of my life. I suppose this blog will be a part of that. I am starting to think about possessions I have that are important to me, so I can share them with Andy and Emma. My dad did leave me with a lot of memories. I hope my kids will be able to say that about me.

Don’t worry. I’m not depressed or anything. I tend to get nostalgic during the holiday season. I told you my dad died the day after Christmas. My mom died on Christmas Day in 1967. In spite of that, I wish you all a very merry Christmas. If you celebrate a holiday other than Christmas, I wish you lots of happiness, as well. Just think, 2021 is less that two weeks away!