The journey of life I am following, and that is similar to us all, has me at the stage where I have gained some perspective, and possibly a grain of experience that is earned via mistakes and grey hairs.

Unfortunately that means losses and gains. I have, as all of us have, lost people close to me and that I will not forget and I enjoy them still in my memories.

Gains are worth celebrating also, as today I celebrated a first. I celebrated picking cherries with my grandchildren from the tree I planted decades ago in our backyard.

Yesterday I smiled as I remembered this story…………….

In the early 1980’s I had the singular pleasure of working with my Dad every day for twelve years.

We were in different departments but the same building.

I was on the 11th floor, he was on the 6th floor and we could commute together to work and enjoy our coffee and lunch breaks together.

It enabled us to enjoy a lot of laughs and quality time for nearly 12 years despite him getting me to always use the stairs.

Looking back together we realize it was a gift of memories we were given.

Yesterday this story came to life from this time period came to me as I related it to my son.

THE GIFT

During the early 1980’s, my Dad and I worked in downtown Vancouver which is tall buildings, and concrete but also some shopping underneath some of buildings nearby.

One of the stores we would visit occasionally was a store that sold ties.

My office attire required a tie and so I did develop a collection of ties, as did my Dad.

This lead to the gift, which didn’t turn out the way I expected, not at all.

Something to know about my parents. My parents enjoyed humor, jokes, pranks and family dinners could lead to jokes that lead to rib holding, tear invoking laughter. (A special pleasure indeed).

One year leading up to my Dad’s birthday in the autumn, I happened upon a grotesque tie, hideous because it’s colour and patterns. The tie was completely, and entirely unwearable with any sort of suit or shirt. It was in a class by itself, possibly a sin to wear.

So, of course I bought it.

Then I purchased a silk tie from the tie store in downtown Vancouver, and obtained a gift box and bow. (play the suspenseful lead up music from Jaws)

My plan was to wrap up the ugly tie in the box, and add the bow and present it to my Dad. I couldn’t wait for the reaction from my Dad.

I remember it was autumn and I visited my Dad at his home and Mom was peering over his shoulder to watch. It was all a surprise for her also.

Dad opened the box, and never blinked ! But my Mom did! She didn’t get it was a joke and was pointing at the tie, laughing and then trying to pretend she wasn’t laughing.

Dad got it right away I think, but kept a straight face and played along. He was admiring the tie, and complimenting me on my good taste, my excellent choice, my keen eye for style!

“Is it silk or bamboo?”

Mom, meanwhile, was bursting, because she thought Dad liked the tie, and she thought I had picked it seriously. But the tie was almost repulsive ! She didn’t know what to do, and was pointing at the tie –

“look at it! Look at it!”

It was like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.

It was so ugly it would make a freight train take a dirt road!

You get the picture (smile).

Finally, having ainw sympathy for Mom who was stifling her laughter, I presented Dad with the real gift tie. (A nice tie, but completely forgotten now.)

My dear friends, and readers; I told you all that to remind you to enjoy the moments, the stories that life leaves us.

It will be the ordinary times, the times of laughter and not fine dining that will live on, and be remembered and passed on.

My Mom passed in June 2018 but I remember her well, her laughter and her huge love for her family stand out.

I am grateful for the stories that survive and that I can pass on about her ability to laugh, and the gift I had to be her son.

Cherish the memories!

Thank you for reading.