Thanks, Dad!

Fete Avec Moi

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. It was time to update our apartment's front stoop. Several years ago, I purchased these adorable pilgrims from The Christmas Tree Shops. The amazing thing is despite acid rain, neighbors' children, and all they are still in good shape. This weekend I hauled them out and propped them up. Of course a yellow ribbon was tied around their waste so that they don't blow away in the wind. This afternoon was quite breezy.

I remember going for walks with my father near Iona College in years gone by. Many an afternoon of my childhood was spent on that campus. And this was long before I was old enough to even be thinking of which college I was going to attend. My dad was a quiet man. But a kind man. He quietly made a difference in many students' lives. Several are immensely grateful for his assistance in getting into Medical School or Schools of Engineering. I learned to tinker from him. He use to call me his little engineer. Well while looking up ideas for holiday decorations (don't want to give away too much to spoil blog posts to come), I came across a great idea. Taking a man's belt and adding sleigh bells. You can see the original concept blog at: http://restlessoasis.blogspot.ca/2012/12/diy-sleigh-bells.html. So simple; yet so elegant. The blogger at Restless Oasis was more clever and poked holes all down the belt. But for me this was enough bling.

My dad worked hard in his early years. His father passed away when he was just a small child. Small tidbits of information still float around in my brain about his jobs in gladiola fields, silver shops, and something with leather. Before becoming the great professor of Chemistry that he is more famous for having done.

Fete Avec Moi

Luckily my mother still had some of my dad's brown belts. Thanks for having them for me, Mom. Today at the Christmas Tree Shop, I found inexpensive gold glittered sleigh bells. I fed those through the holes of dad's well worn belt. I love that the hide of the belt is strained from all the tightening and un-tightening from dad wearing it. I think it gives it added character. I topped it off with a nice green, gold, and red bow.

I think this sleigh bell decoration is perfect for this time of year. So many generations took this time of year to reconnect with family. They bundled the family into the wagon and drove to visit family. As the song says, “Over the river and through the woods...” To me, this decoration is reminiscent of that and reminds me of my Dad. As my father passed away the morning after Thanksgiving celebrations one year, this time of year also always brings him to mind. This piece will continue to do that for me as I walk past it hanging in our dining area.