Dad ~
It’s just an old metal building now. Not much looks different from 50 years ago. Has it been that long ago? Seems like the world stopped for this little building when other expansion started to grow all around it. Yet it’s still here standing, not much corrosion or other evidence that time and growth has moved on to bigger and better. The old outdoor volleyball court has been removed to be the new buildings. Oh, how you loved those lunchtime games. In fact, you made Mom mad by wanting to play the game versus going to lunch with us. At the time, I didn’t know how you enjoyed the exercise and the time to let off some stress and frustration. I don’t remember you bringing much of that home. Now that I’ve read some of the reports your boss made, I’m so ashamed that we added to your burden.
I think back to all the conversations shared about my work situations and you listened. You never shared what your experiences were in the days you worked. Just seemed that all was well and no need to share anything. That is the kind of Dad and man you were. You were human and had some moments of anger and frustration with us kids. We seemed to just take it as kids, teenagers and then we were on our own.
You worked in that little building day in and out for 25 years. Your office was the place we could go and explore. Gosh, I remember you had your desk, drawing table and mechanical tools. Everything seemed old, dusty and heavy. That old government equipment that was used and no one wanted found a home. We would come in and take over the little office space. Some of that building was for creating and designing equipment for the orchards. I didn’t know the projects you were working on would become future equipment that was patented and actually used. You did share a few of these nuggets with your eldest child, so the legacy would be told. And we discovered that news in some of the papers we uncovered just a few months before you left us for good. By then you really didn’t speak much about your accomplishments that were made in that little building. Not sure what that little building holds now, other than memories, but it is still standing along with the changes of time and progress.
Growing up and going to the office also meant we could get fruit from the storage. Oh, how wonderful it was to live in a place where the trees grew apples, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots and occasionally come across a berry bush with goodies. I grew up with so much around me as a given. I realized how much it cost to buy the fruit I used to go and get after I moved away. That was one of the first aha moments of seeing how you provided for us.
So appreciate those moments from that little building. I had to stop by to see it again during my last visit. I actually went twice. The first time I drove by it so quickly and didn’t realize it. The additional new buildings, the street corner traffic light and the pace of the local travelers speeding by it to move on in their life. I drove into the parking lot in silence to savor the memories one last time. Not sure when or if I will ever make it back to see this part of my childhood. But for today, I am so grateful for the memories of the building that provided so much for my Dad and our family.
Love,
Gail
