Memories

No Nicolaitans · December 24, 2016

While this pertains to a Christmas present, I hope those who may be anti-Christmas will look past that point and appreciate what it's truly about. : )

As I was signing my Dad's Christmas card and relaying to him (in the card) how one of the presents that I was giving him was related to a fond memory of my childhood...I was crying like a baby.

You see, my Dad is 79 years old now, and he's not in the best shape. He has health issues. Plus, his mind is slipping. It's hard for me to see this man (whom I've admired for so long) have to suffer the effects of old age. He's the one who helped mold me into the person I am today. He's the one who took us to church. He's the one who worked so hard to see that our family's needs were met. He's the one who stood faithful. He was (and is) a true man. It's hard on me. He was dealt some bad and hard blows in life which I won't go into at this time. Through it all, he remained true and faithful. He remained...my Dad...and I love him.

When I was young (between the ages of 8 to 12 years old), my Dad cut pulp-wood for a living, and he would take my brother and me with him quite often to help.

I hated it.

However, the highlight of each day of pulp-wooding was when we'd break for lunch. My Dad called it a "saw-miller's lunch". It consisted of things like....

Beenie Weenies, potted meat, sardines, crackers and so forth.

I loved it!

As I look back, I don't have very many memories of the actual time spent cutting trees, measuring the logs to cut, or loading them on the truck, and all that was involved with that...but I remember those saw-miller lunches and the talks and laughs we'd have while eating them.

One of the gifts I'm giving my Dad this year is a saw-miller's lunch, and in the card, I relayed to him how much they meant to me...that though the gift may seem insignificant...and certainly not extravagant...it was one way of honoring him for providing me with such a fond and wonderful memory...a way of honoring him for all that he did to help me become who I am today.

A saw-miller's lunch. Who knew that Beenie Weenies, potted meat, sardines, and crackers could have such a strong influence? It's not about them though; it's about the personal time that revolved around them. It's one of the fondest memories that I have of my childhood.

All of that to say this...make memories with your children...no matter how insignificant you may think they are.

...and whether you like it or not...Merry Christmas! : )

HappyChristian · December 29, 2016

I haven't been on much lately, so I missed this post. NoNi, I think your gift was spectacular! I'm sure when your dad got it and read the card, tears were shed.

Jim_Alaska · December 29, 2016

What wonderful memories NN, something to be treasured for life. Your father must have been all you said and more, since he fathered and guided a son that would think so much of him to honor him in the way that you did.

I am sorry I missed this post on Saturday, I try to read every post but somehow missed this one.

No Nicolaitans · November 27, 2017

My dad no longer remembers who I am.

This Thanksgiving, he didn't recognize my wife, our children, or me. To see this strong man, who had always put his family first...no longer know his family...is heart-breaking.

I wasn't sure how to handle it. I could tell that he was uncomfortable with "these strangers". He was very cordial, but there was no recollection. I wanted to hug him and tell him, "It's me...your son, Dan." He has pictures on the wall of us, but there's no recollection. On a piece of paper, he has all of our names written down with our relationship to him...as though he knew he was having trouble remembering, so he wanted to make a note to himself as to who we are, but he's gone past that now.

Please pray for my dad.

Invicta · November 30, 2017

On 27/11/2017 at 10:22 PM, No Nicolaitans said:

My dad no longer remembers who I am.

This Thanksgiving, he didn't recognize my wife, our children, or me. To see this strong man, who had always put his family first...no longer know his family...is heart-breaking.

I wasn't sure how to handle it. I could tell that he was uncomfortable with "these strangers". He was very cordial, but there was no recollection. I wanted to hug him and tell him, "It's me...your son, Dan." He has pictures on the wall of us, but there's no recollection. On a piece of paper, he has all of our names written down with our relationship to him...as though he knew he was having trouble remembering, so he wanted to make a note to himself as to who we are, but he's gone past that now.

Please pray for my dad.

Your dad is the same age as me. My memory is starting to go, when in a conversation I often can't think of the word I want to use.I recently couldn't think of evolution and had to say, the opposite of creation. I really feel for you, I prayed for your dad.

*Light* · December 3, 2017

I'm about middle aged and I have memory problems too. This one time I took off my glasses and forgot where I put them in just a few seconds. I searched my entire house and couldn't find it. And do you know where it was? It was in my suit pocket all along after searching for almost an hour. Silly me!