As I walked in the door, I hang my coat on the coat hook and look into the mirror like I have a million times before and remember back to the time when we bought this custom etched mirrored coat rack as one of the gifts for dad on Father’s Day when I was just a boy. We ordered it so carefully making sure it was a good match for the home, and would say just the right sentiment; after all, unique personalized gifts are not returnable! But the moment we had waited for finally came and Dad opened it and he seemed so surprised and happy with his mirrored gift. He even placed it where all could see as they entered the cabin we had on the lake.
Little did I realize how important this piece would become over time. Every weekend we’d go there and fish, or swim, and had the time of our lives. I recall a moment of boredom, even though we didn’t have a television or computer there. Dad would play card games with us kids or tell us stories without ever having to look at a book. And then Sunday would come and It was time to return to city life. We’d take our hats and coats off the hooks of that etched mirror and head to our weekday lives. Dreaming of our time together again the next weekend we’d spend at the cabin.
No matter what happens in life, no matter how rough time have gotten in my life, I could always go back to a time at the lake where dad in his infinite wisdom would tell a story or impart some wisdom that would make me see my bad situation in a better light. Odd how a small gift of art can evoke such strong memories. I never would have dreamed that this gift for dad would span generations, and be remembered fondly by the whole family.
So many years have passed since that time and I now am looking at the old man in the custom etched mirror. He bears a remarkable similarity to my dad! And then I remember all those years ago spent with dear old dad at the cabin. It was not the time we spent playing games and it was not the amount of time we had together but it was, instead it was the investment in each others lives. Time spent with dad was never wasted. It was time spent learning, laughing, and enjoying the person he was. I can only hope that when my boys grow up they will look into this personalized, custom etched mirror that was once meant to be a gift for dad, and remember the times they spent with their dad with such splendor. This mirror that is a reflection of much simpler times. Is there any better gift than one that will build memories of Dad?
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