(gold and green - gotta LOVE the 70's)I heard that saying every Saturday of my entire youth. My Dad would wake me up by standing at my bedroom door saying (in his best military voice) "Up and Adem". I knew then that I had about 37.5 seconds to be up and ready for whatever he had planned for the day. A part was needed for our dishwasher - Let's head to Salmon's to find it. (anyone remember Salmon's up on State Street in Orem? I think it is Ogden's carpet outlet now). Sue wrecked her car? Let's go out and pound and sand and rebuild it.
I worked when I was with my Dad. And I hated. every. minute. of. it. Oh how I hated it. My friends were all sleeping in, having fun, shopping, etc. while I worked.
"But Dad, all of my friends are home sleeping now".
"If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?" was always his reply.
My Dad was the hardest worker I had ever met. My mom and him met at Lockheed Aircraft in California. They joined the LDS church and decided to move to Utah and start their own bookstore. They worked hard for 30 years in that store, hardly ever taking a day off. And yes, if anything ever broke at the bookstore, who was there to help my Dad fix it? Me. (I'm sure my brother and sister helped at other times, but being 6 and 7 years apart, we all had our own times with Dad). I remember climbing the scary ladder to get on the roof to fix the swamp cooler, fixing the light ballast (who even knows what a ballast is at 12, really?) when they broke, and building and rebuilding shelves often.
Did I mention how much I hated all of this?
Did I mention that now that I am an adult, how much I cherish those times? I would not change one greasy car part or messy swamp cooler filter for all the money in the world.
My Dad taught me how to WORK. And it is what I am most proud of.
I love you Dad!
8 comments:
I hope my kids someday say that about me. I'm the "mean" mom in our neighborhood because my kids have to do chores.
My sister-in-law uses me as a threat for her kids when the won't do what they are told. She asks them if they want to come over to my house so I can teach them how to really work.
Beautiful post Sue. I had one of those early morning/work dads too. They're the best!
Last night on my birthday, my dad told me he loved me--for the very first time. I've always know that he did, he just didn't say it. Dads are the very best in the world.
You are such good daughter. My dad was the same way, except for me it was the endless battle of pulling weeds in his gigantic garden.
And I love your eyeshadow.
Me too.
Up early every summer morning to work the land.
Then I grew up and realized that not everyone works that hard (what?) but it's what makes me who I am.
No wonder you turned out so well.
I love this post.
But who's the brunette in the picture?
=P
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