My Dad

18 Jun 2017 Comments Off

Dear Fellow Journalers,

In honor of Father’s Day, G weighs in:

DADS’ CUFFLINKS

Poking around in my closet the other day, I came upon my Dad’s cufflinks. I’m almost ashamed to say I haven’t seen or worn them in about five years. Since they were Dad’s, I should treat them with more respect.

Now you have to understand something about my Dad. Dad was a helicopter mechanic, and a great one at that. But Dad HATED getting “dressed up” for any occasion. A tie to Dad was like a noose, a coat like a straight jacket. Dad had only ONE dress white shirt. Mom bought it for him. This shirt had “French cuffs,” requiring cuff links. Mom also bought them. She bought them at a jewelry store, and paid good money for them. They are silver, square, and have a star like design on them called a “compass rose.” Dad hated the whole idea, but wore them when and if he must.

I think I’ve told you Dad was only 5’9”, and of small build. This meant that I was Dad’s size when I was about 11 years old. Now I, unlike Dad, had been wearing white dress shirts and ties since second grade. (Catholic school uniforms) Now I thought that this French cuff shirt was “COOL” so cool, that to this day, I wear French cuffs 98% of the time, One day, while headed for some special occasion, I asked Dad if I could wear his shirt and links to the affair. He agreed, but Mom wasn’t happy about it.

Well, the shirt and the links made it home in one piece. I then had earned the right to borrow them on a regular basis. Dad was actually relieved that I wore them instead of him, and often suggested it. He even told me to keep it in MY closet. Mom still wasn’t happy.

The problem with being a growing boy is that you grow VERY fast! Within a few months, I had outgrown the shirt. Returning it to Dad, he promptly declared it “worn out”, and threw it out. (While Mom was out of course!) End of the story.

When Dad died in 1986, possession of the cuff links officially passed to me, although I always had them. I wore them weekly until about five or so years ago, when others supplanted them.

So why this story? I am CERTAIN that you have some piece of jewelry SOMEWHERE that once belonged to someone you loved. GO FIND IT NOW! Put it on, and remember. I promise it will make you as happy as me!

Thanks G for sharing,

~Sallie