I've always known my dad to be somewhat quiet. He doesn't say much, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a lot to say. Thanks to e-mail, my dad has become quite a writer. He often will write a story about something he experienced and how it relates to the e-mail conversation. From childhood experiences to being stationed overseas, he seems to have a story for every situation. Last week, he saw my tribute to veterans and wrote a wonderful e-mail about his time in the Air Force. I've gotten e-mails about everything from first loves, first houses and marriage to stupid things he did as an "indestructible teenager." They are always fun and entertaining.
When Derrick and I went to his hometown for the weekend, he got to spend some quality time with his grandpa, who was a WWII veteran. Although there was a highly anticipated football game on, he decided to sit in the kitchen and listen to his grandfather as he told stories about his time in the Navy. Derrick said that really put things into perspective for him. He valued that talk with his grandfather more than any football game.
As I get older, I value those e-mails and chats more and more. My dad's stories and Derrick's grandpa's stories become our stories, too. I'm actually in the process of going back through old e-mails and saving them so I can print them off and compile them. It would be wonderful to have for our children and there children and so on. I will cherish them forever.
What's your story?
No comments:
Post a Comment