How far will you take a joke? At times I think I'll go farther than most, and sometimes baffle those around me with the lengths to which I'll follow a tangent. Ironic laughter (even if it's me laughing alone) seems to motivate me far more than what most people would find worthwhile goals.
Perhaps it's my legacy from my dear departed father. He wrote a lot, and never ever forgot how to laugh.
My kids, like most kids, love to play pirate. When I was their age I did the same.
While I undertook the construction of all kinds of pretend forts and rafts, and later learned to sail on salt water, I never did get to dig up buried treasure. As all parents do, I wish to make possible greater things for my kids than I had myself. So I procured a giant bag of coins.
Some years back the European countries about to go over to the Euro had to collect and convert all their national currency and coin. Just after the conversion, these coins and bills became essentially worthless...unless you really wanted a giant bag of loot.
I got one.
Soon enough it became the stuff of dreams as it was enclosed in a chest and given to Isidore with a complete outfit of pirate accessories.
Random specie from many countries; while beautiful they remain totally worthless. But who's counting?
My kids give me things all the time. As most kids do, they gather things as they find them, and take what they think is the best of what they've found and proudly present them to Robin and me. Treasures all, I wish I could keep up with all the gifts I get from my kids. I've managed to keep a few of the more long-lasting treasures they've given me, but some things necessarily are more transitory.
Ellie gives flowers. Flowers fade and die. Sometimes she gives and gives and gives...and while I can't keep most of what she gives for very long, I'll never be able to let go of her. I hope she keeps piling up things for her daddy.
About the only lasting thing I think my kids will count as a legacy of their father will be an appreciation of that which is beautiful. While you can't count that, and you certainly can't deposit that, I hope they'll keep it forever.
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1 comment:
What a beautiful story, Pat. You must be one of the best dads ever. I'm impressed. If I had ever gotten such a magnanimous gift ferom my dad, I know that it would still be a treasure to me. One that I'd pass on to my own children. Alas, my father was not as resourceful. He did, however,pass on an awesome sense of humor(and a nose which was not the cutest thing on a scrawny black girl,)which I fortunately(?) passed on to my own children. The humor, not the nose. though they got that as well. Keep making beautiful memories with your beautiful family!
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