I wrote 6 months ago about a special memory of my dad growing up. I am reposting it to honor my dad as his birthday is coming up in a few days. My childhood was definitely riddled with mental, emotional, and verbal abuse. There were still some tender and special moments. I definitely want to hold onto those to ensure my vision of my dad does not get too foggy.
My Love Boat. It’s priceless
July 26, 2017
When I was around 7 years old, I was playing outside with the neighbor kids. We found a piece of warped press wood in the grass. We decided to push it back & forth in a puddle. “We were sailing our boat”
I got a bright idea to go in my dad’s workshop. I knew he had scrapped pieces of wood. I just wanted a small piece. Nothing he would notice. This was a secret mission. Especially since I was not allowed in his workshop. I got in there with no problem. But as I was trying to sneak out my dad met me at the door. I just knew he was going to tan my hide. I explained to him that we were sailing boats in the puddles and I was just going to take a scrap piece of wood.
Well, my dad takes a long piece of wood and starts cutting it and shaping it. He then paints it white. Wraps red duct tape around the bottom so it would float. He also took nails & string and made a railing.
For about the next hour my dad created the best boat I had ever seen. I named it the Love Boat because a show by the same name was on tv at that time. But as I write this I realize that maybe I subconsciously called it that because my dad made it out of love.
That Love Boat was my prized possession for about 23 years. I would not have sold it. It was priceless because my dad made it. I was devastated when I lost it in a storage unit I could not pay for. The memory is all I have. I can just remember my dad just being very precise in the details. To think I just wanted a piece of wood to throw in the puddle. Instead, I got one of my favorite memories with my dad. When I question If my dad really loves me, I remember my love boat and I know he does. He just says it different than I hear it.
Much Love
Take Care
