I saw a sign on our local recreation center billboard stating a father daughter dance coming up. This instantly brought back to my memory my own father daughter dance when I was 9. It was sponsored by the brownie troop I belonged too. It was held at the local Masonic hall and was a dress up affair. I can remember feeling like a princess.
The hall was decorated like a fancy restaurant and we had a table to ourselves, just the two of us. The waiter led us to the table and held my chair out for me. There was a vase of fresh flowers on the table, real china and silverware. Music played softly in the back-ground; it was like a real date. Dad was so handsome in his suit and tie; He had black hair and eyes so dark they looked almost black also. He was a boxer and very strong. He had given me flowers to wear on my dress and he had one in the lapel of his coat. After dinner he even danced with me.
I am surprised that I remember so many details of that night 67 years ago. I am glad that I got to experience an evening like that as we lost dad only a few years later. He was always my closest friend; we had a special bond. I am sorry my sister didn’t get to experience a date night with our dad. She would have loved the occasion; dad could make you feel like you were the most special person on the planet at the time. He always had time for us kids no matter how busy he was.
My sister got to spend a lot of time with him on the farm before she started school. They were inseparable; she was like his shadow wherever he went. He bought her a pony and she went everywhere on it. It was a little white Arabian. She could go out to the pasture, call him and he would come over to her and stand very still so she could climb up his front leg. She would ride without a bridle or saddle. He would bite others but not dad or sis. If anyone else wanted to ride him either she or dad had to hold his head until the person got on. It was like they had to get permission from them before they were allowed to ride.
We lost both our parents at a very young age. So all we have are the memories we have to remind us that we were fortunate to have had loving parents who nurtured us and spent time with us. Kids today don’t often get that living in cities where parents have to work away from home just to make ends meet.
We can be assured that our father in heaven loves and cares about us. He brings to our memory those times in our past that we can hang on to. We can extend to others that precious commodity, our time.
Thank you for traveling down memory lane with me. Leave a comment and share a memory of your childhood with me.
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