Father's Day

Today I think about my father. Happy thoughts, sad thoughts, oh how I miss him.

My father was a veteran who spent his last days in a VA nursing home in sunny, southern California. One of the things  that was passed on to me was his cane. A regular cane that is just brown and ugly with a big piece of masking tape with his name printed on it. I thought oh, boy, what ever am I going to do with this?

After discussing it with my husband, I decided to donate it to a veteran in need through ourv local VFW, where my husband is a member (and a veteran), and I am a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary (thanks for serving, dad). Then I found a little trophy that says "Hall Walk Race Winner 1st Place". So, I thought, this is no ordinary beat up cane after all. It is a very special cane, and deserves to be treated as such. So I took the cane and the trophy to the Commander of our VFW and asked that the trophy be given to whoever received the cane. Perhaps it would bring him/her luck, too!

Well, the Commander said no.

NO? No. And walked away.

And immediately came right back. With a key.

Without a word, he opened the largest trophy case and reverently placed the cane and the trophy inside.

He honored me. He honored my father.

By the time he had locked the case tears were streaming from my eyes. Then I was gushing, and then I was full out sobbing. I sobbed on the Commander's shoulder. I sobbed in my husband's arms. I sobbed just walking down the street. I sobbed nonstop for four days. I was finally able to cry for my father.

After I could see clearly again, I went to visit my father's cane. The Commander had unwittingly placed it next to a wine bottle. Who's wine bottle or why it is in that case no one remembers. But my father liked a good bottle of wine, and I know he approved.

At the VFW, save but a few friends, most do not know why I smile and wave at the trophy case. The trophy case is where I go to talk to my father. I feel his presence there.

Our VFW is the second largest in the Country. It is the Charles Evering Post 6506 located in Baltimore, MD.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

I love you.