My dad was a simple man. He supported us by working as a construction worker, but was a carpenter at heart. He had four daughters, (my sister Mary died a few months after she was born), and although I’m sure he would have liked to have a son, you wouldn’t have known it. I felt that I was his favorite, and I’m sure my sisters felt that they were too.
Growing up, we tortured my dad. One Easter my mom made us all matching dresses, and my dad got a matching tie….in a bright fuchsia pink floral pattern. He wore that tie proudly. My sisters and I would run around the house in our underwear and he would tell us to put some clothes on. We had one bathroom, until he got tired of waiting to use it and finally built another bathroom upstairs. My dad was all about his family.
My dad could fix pretty much anything that was broke, and had a green thumb like you would not believe. As you walked up to my parents house, there is an apple tree to the right. Only the tree also had pears growing on it. He had a pear tree in the back yard and grafted a branch on the apple tree just to see if he could do it. It reminded me of the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz.
My dad built all my soap molds, curing racks and my soap cutter. When I needed help wrapping soap I’d drop off boxes and he and my mom would wrap. I don’t think he understood why I wanted to have Alegna Soap®, but he did whatever I asked and made whatever I needed.
My dad didn’t like change. Neither do I. We both suffered from anxiety and depression, and it was because my dad was so open about his experience that I was able to get the help I needed. He told me once if your arm is broke, you go to the doctor and get it fixed. So if your thinking is broke you should do the same. Yes, I had a very smart father. I miss my dad and I’m grateful I had him in my life for as long as I did.
Tell me something about your dad. What does/did he do that you’re grateful for?
Yours in Gratitude,
Angela