Nearly 30 years ago, my wife and I purchased a grandfather clock. I remember that day so well. I’d recently changed jobs, involving a family move across half a continent. We’d purchased a new home. Money was really tight, so this was a major purchase for us. The boys were with us that day as well. It was a big adventure, a very special day.
Now, I have gotten into the habit of winding that clock at about 9:00 every Thursday morning. A small thing, but it is important to me that the clock be taken care of each and every Thursday. Seems a bit obsessive, doesn’t it. Maybe it is.
I remember my father, so many years ago, winding the starburst clock over the mantle every Sunday night. At about 7:00 he would get up from whatever he was doing (often it was a cribbage game with… .ME!) to wind that old, ugly clock. My dad has been gone now for over 44 years. I miss him. I talk to him nearly every day. My sons never got to know him. He was the only father my wife ever knew, and that only for a very short time. Yes, I miss him dearly.
Last week, when I went to wind the clock, it was at the half hour. The minute hand of the clock was covering the winding hole, so I put it off instead of just moving the hand to perform the task. Then something happened and I didn’t wind that old clock until the next day. In a way it bothered me. But also, as I did perform this little, private task, I was flooded by memories of my dad. We had done so many wonderful things together. He really was my BBF (best friend forever).
Today is Thursday. At 9:00 a.m. sharp, I wound the clock.
I miss him.
Art
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What a very endearing way to honor the memory of your dear dad! We, too, had a proudly displayed golden starburst clock over our own mantle after receiving it as a family Christmas present one year in my childhood from my maternal grandparents. This photo you shared here brought back a flood of blessed memories of my grandfather trying to surreptitiously check that the clock had the exactly correct time every time he visited our home!
Glad to spark the memories! They’re precious.
Ritual is important as a means of healing and remembering.. I still take walks daily at the appointed time without my dog now (an earlier post about losing her). Her leash is in my pocket..After two months I can make it without tears. milt
Our memories can haunt us or enrich and strengthen us. Let’s opt for the latter!
Shalom, Art
Neat post, thanks for sharing.:)
Art, I love this. You made me think of my dad – he’s been gone 21 years this July and I miss him every day. Thanks for sharing these precious memories with us.
Thanks, Dru. Glad to spark some memories. These sorts of things are the true inheritance, the legacy that we leave. This blog was sparked by my recent blog of Deuteronomy and the Shema.
We live in a busy, busy world. It has such a tremendous impact on our family lives. We get go involved in “doing things” we never seem to have time for doing the most important things. It is the important, little things that leave these memories.
Shalom, Art