My Dad is a pretty sentimental person, and I really like that about him. The things that he keeps for sentimental reasons always have a great story. For example, Dad has an old wooden filing cabinet (painted a weird shade of blue) that’s probably 40 years old, maybe even older. He got it from a yard sale that Miss Vivian was having many years ago. He remembered it being in Aunt Jean’s Dad’s office, it’s now in Dad’s office, and has been since he got it. Dad never repainted it because he wants to keep it just like it was in Mr. Clyde’s office. When Aunt Jean was in town a couple months or so ago, she saw it and remembered it. I think she was touched that Dad has it and for the reasons he has it.

Miss Vivian and Mr Clyde were my Dad’s parent’s closest friends. Through their family, Dad and I feel a deeper connection to our family. At least I do.

When Dad and I were at Miss Vivian’s funeral last week, Anna Bella (the true Southern Belle) mentioned having THE glider (like a porch swing, but it’s on a glider instead of hanging by a chain) that use to be on Miss Vivan and Mr Clyde’s porch when Dad and Jean were teenagers. They spent many hours hanging out together on that glider and it holds special memories for Dad. Anna Bella offered Dad the glider if he wanted to get it. I think Dad’s eyes literally lit up when he realized she was serious.

I do look forward to seeing the famous glider that I’ve heard so much about and seeing it at Dad’s house. I know even though it’s just an old a hunk of metal, it’s still a treasure for our family.