You Never Know…

Friday was my last day of slavery. As I was finishing up a couple of final tasks and straightening up stuff to make sure it could be found after my absence, I came across a couple of things that the person formerly known as my friend had done that further drove home the point that she is in this life solely for her own benefit. It hurt.

Life seeks a balance though, sometimes in spite of our best efforts to make it otherwise. When I told my dad about what happened he did NOT do his Mount St. Helen’s impression. He looked stunned and troubled, made a slightly panicked comment about not being able to pay my salary on top of what he was already doing, and went back to his house. Wow. Have the aliens visited again and taken over my father this time? Based on 45 years of experience, I was truly expecting a pyrotechnic display that would rival any 4th of July celebration ever seen.

Saturday morning I rearranged my garage so that I can actually fit my car into it. Novel concept, eh? Daddy has been after me to get that done, so I called him and proudly announced my industrious victory. He said he’d be over later because he had some things to bring me.

Dad shows up later afternoon and begins unloading a pile in the back of his car. Seems he cleaned out a closet. Out came a tiny little tapestry purse, a petticoat and a frilly pink bed jacket.

“I think those were all yours” says Dad.

I recognized the purse, but a frilly pink bed jacket? NEVER would I have possessed such a treasure. I started stacking it all on the dining room table.

Out came a hatbox filled with pillbox hats in varying states of completion. Memories of my mother. And some peachy-orange (a truly “amazing” color I have NEVER seen in bathroom linens) towels all wrapped up in a gold box ready to be given to some unsuspecting soul. Yep – Mom again. Then came the high point of the “Mommie Memories” – 2 intricate and wonderful full head masks that she had sewn out of felt. A smiling, happy golden lion and (this is for you, froggie girl) a grinning, green frog! I have a picture of Chickie’s dad and I wearing those masks and sitting with the kids. I have looked for those masks before and never found them. They are amazing…padded, lined, so cute it can’t be described, and so typical of the kind of thing my mother would do when the mood struck. I thought they were lost… but now I have them!

A rolled up poster of the “Golda Lisa” and another paper roll which held a caricature drawn of me in 1973. 2 Backgammon games (to go with the 2 I already have) and a game called Chutzpah came next. A shoe box full of crafts and patches and memories of amazing trips I took when I was a Senior Scout . A couple of old belts … and crowning glory #2 – a smallish landscape that Daddy had painted years ago-before I was born. The frame is old and bad and overly ornate. The picture is definitely not gallery material…and I love it. I hung it immediately.

Daddy walks every afternoon, usually at the local mall. His walking partner has been sick lately, so he’s been walking by himself. Yesterday we walked together around my neighborhood. Lots of folks were out hanging Christmas lights. We stopped and chatted often. I have so many friendly people living around me!

As we walked and talked, Daddy mentioned that I could substitute teach. I said that I could also check out temp agencies. He said anything that would ‘help him out’ would be good. No pressure, no panic, no demands…just suggestions. Then we made plans to do some yard work at my house and clean out yet another closet full of undiscovered memories at his house in the coming week.

So, dear person formerly known as friend, you have unwittingly done me a great service. I have found my Daddy again. Not my FATHER – the insane, controlling, hypochondriac, unfeeling, prejudiced bastard – but my Daddy, who is creative, intelligent, witty (and still a bit ‘eccentric’)… who loves me very much. And that, my friends, is a better gift than any damn job in the world.

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I hate hanging xmas lights lol

Mns
December 8, 2002

indeed it is. so nice you have that side of him to enjoy now, especially with this transition at work, and the holidays. my dad was an old grump much of the time, and he never did say “i love you,” but there were moments i knew he did…. anyway, isn’t it fun finding boxes of memories like that? now that your tummy is full, get back here and tell about if you were yesterdays lol~

😉

Now there is some true Therapy for the Soul! This one made me smile. 🙂

A beautiful pre-Christmas gift from a not so beautiful person. What I think is cool is that you recognized it. ~:) ArtImp, nsi

December 8, 2002

Hey, hey…wipes away a tear, I’m so happy for you!What a wonderful “treasure” to be given.Memories of your mom and Daddy comes home to deliver them. I feel wonderful things are in store for you.((((Gives you huge hugs)))) I love you, lady! Hey, hey…

Oh this is such a wonderful entry. Honest girl you made me cry here!! I’m so happy with your dad’s reaction to all this, and the box full of memeries.You are a lucky girlie ~smiles~ ~hugs and love to you!!

December 8, 2002

know what? sometimes daddies are very good things to find. I’m glad he didn’t imitate a fireworks display. Does this mean you’re feeling better? I think you should post the picture of yourselves in masks… if you can’t see your faces, it wouldn’t make anyone able to find out who you are or anything, then we could see the masks. 0:) are you happier now? cuz maybe the reason you lost your trust was

December 8, 2002

so that you could become closer with your dad. Just be happy, okay? because I say so… I tried to cheer you up, but somehow I think your daddy was better at it 🙂 that’s okay though.

Sunshine… I just want to spit, call your ex-friend all sorts of names that would get me kicked out of her and hug you till yr bones crush. That cow how could that b**ch do this to anyone let alone you so near xmas. I’m very pleased that you found yr daddy again and I do agree that this has been the silver lining – I sent you an email at sunshine@opendiary.com – I hope this is yrs 🙂

If it isn’t flip me an email with yr address – I have a letter waiting for you.

I am glad that you have found your daddy again, he sounds like quite a nice person, much nicer than your father. Are you sure you don’t want to wear the pink frilly bed jacket and post a picture for us all to see. 😀

aren’t Daddies awesome? I am lucky, I still have my Daddy also. At 45, sometimes you wonder when you are going to stop needing your daddy. I just realized the other day that the answer to that question is NEVER!! Glad things are looking up.

Sorry the job didn’t work out the way you wanted, but sounds like you’ve found something even better. To have a parent there to help through life’s ups and downs is something I can only imagine. No wonder you’re feeling appreciative SW. Rock on lady….onwards and upwards! -Jeff

What a sweet entry. Your friend unwittingly bestowed upon you a very great gift.

I meant “former friend.”

December 8, 2002

A blessing in disguise afterall. 🙂

December 8, 2002

You’re going to feel a lot better when you find that job that you really like doing. Better to find ex friend’s selfishness early than later

December 8, 2002

(sniffle) That was so nice! You had me teary eyed. Parents can surprise you at times, huh? I’m so glad that he didn’t get upset. That’s the last thing you need right now. I know you’re a strong lady & you’re going to get thru this better than you think. *with best wishes & a warm hug*

December 8, 2002

I just read in one diary that a good friend of mine is pregnant, now i read this. My emotions could overload at any time. I’m really glad you and your dad have found a friendship, I think it makes moving back to FLA worth it 🙂

numerous songs come to my head w/ this entry… ill stick w/ two though….first… “free free im free at last, thank God almighty im free at last!!!!!!” ::ahem::: and the next “i get by with a little help, from my friends!” much love…and u know what i think ms. sunshine wolf? you are the one thats shining. 😉

December 9, 2002

I’m so happy for you! This too, has made me smile. 🙂

oh i got gooosebumps, froggies and daddies, how much more could you possibly want for chaunakauh? Er, maybe a frog spelling professor for your ribbiting note leaver? OH, i got tears in my eyes dear wolfie girl!!! i’m so happy for you! YOu’d make a great middle or Hs teacher, and you would make a fabulous Docent too. frogglette who is somehow unsigned again?

why do you have my princess winifred bed jacket? we needed a green one for the play and all we could find was this horrible pink one. I lost it YEARS ago in a certain town where i saw LES MISerables when i was visiting my great friend ben when fred (that’s me, and jack that’s jackie who was four at the time) visited florida while her brothers were at camp in texas.

{smile} part of me has been wondering lately the same thing, sort of, and that if I found myself having to chose a new career, would it be all that bad? though of course… your side benefit, discovering your daddy, wouldnt come with me packing my work desk up…

December 10, 2002

Wonderful treasures all round. With a warm hug…

December 10, 2002

a warm hug and blessings, I am so happy for ya! Love and light in lots of healing kisses XXX Faerie friend

December 10, 2002

Funny how things work out isn’t it….. Love & Hugs,

The best presents rarely come gift wrapped. Hopefully, you will receive many more this Christmas season and in coming years. Merry CHRISTmas!!! 🙂 ‘A note for you’ (nsi)

December 12, 2002

I picked up immediately here that your dad was really panicked about this…he is worried about you and him not being able to cope financially for you….you have a true gift in the man…I have nothing but admiration for the both of you love you lots.

They say every cloud has a silver lining..certainly true in this case! You sound so happy, SW and I am happy for you. I htouhgt you were gonna say that your dad brought stuff over and filled your garage again! LOL Hugz Harley (nsi)

If this keeps happening the garage will be full again.

December 13, 2002

Hey, hey, (you KNOW the tune)…I miss your silly, wicked, wit…hey, hey, Wolfie,I don’t hear from you, not one little bit…And we know I can’t sing, so this should give you pause…please come back to us we need you cause…we love you and miss you damn it all! *Beams you a truly huge smile* Sending lots of good energy down your way,can ya feel it? ((((HUGS YA))))

December 16, 2002

Now that is a lovely gift! Your ex-friend can put that in her pipe and smoke it. Good luck, sweetie!

its good too find the good in something bad

December 20, 2002

how nice to find such wonderful memories…:)