my heirlooms

[susandennis]

One of the things I did today was clean out my tool box. The first week in my new apartment after I graduated from college, I got two packages on the same day - one from North Carolina (where Daddy was) and one from Oklahoma where my Uncle Ray was (Daddy's sister's husband).

Daddy sent me a red toolbox loaded with tools and nails and screws and handy stuff. Uncle Ray sent me a small hand saw.

The message - one that was not assumed in 1971 - was that it was OK if I didn't want to get married. I had the tools to make it on my own. I'll never forget how wonderful that felt at the time. Most of my friends at the time did not ever hear that message. I was so so so very lucky and I had the toolbox and saw to prove it.

Both have traveled with me from apartment to apartment from house to house from state to state. Daddy and Uncle Ray are both piddling around in heavenly workshops.

Their gifts make me smile every time I see them and today they are nice and tidied up ready for another 30+ years of service.

Comments

I have the same toolbox

[(Anonymous)]

But, I think my Dad gave it to me, hoping it would keep me from being gay. Oh, well.


Jason- http://jasonstone.typepad.com