They aren't rusty, hidden by overgrowth, or lost in the woods, but they are old and they are treasures to those of us who loved my dad. A small and treasured collection of journals and diaries giving us a glimpse into the boy he once was, the young man he became, and the father he grew to be.
The early editions were written in surplus army journals and tell of summer jobs for local farmers, a stay at an Adirondack Boy Scout Camp with his brother, their summer vacation, and his adventures on and around Irondequoit Bay. The first also tells the story of his fisherman pal grandfather and his battle and subsequent death of lung cancer. We were stunned to learn he and his grandpa both died of the same disease on identical date. September 28.
In later years my dad kept a diary. Little blips on his daily journey through life. Jobs. Girlfriends. A stint in the Naval Reserves. Family gatherings. Hunting trips. Talent shows. Meeting my mom for the first time... There was a time of quiet too. Nothing is recorded about his and Mom's wedding, the adoption of their first son, or the birth of the second, but he picked up writing again before I came along and the story of my arrival is there, along with my sisters a few years later.
Treasures. Sometimes I find myself curious about the years he chose not to record, and then I realize that some events in life leave us too tired and emotionally spent to write. I know some of the stories in spite of them not being journaled in a diary and I am blessed to have had a dad like him. The journals and diaries are great to have, but the real treasure was my dad.
They aren't rusty, hidden by overgrowth, or lost in the woods, but they are old and they are treasures to those of us who loved my dad. A small and treasured collection of journals and diaries giving us a glimpse into the boy he once was, the young man he became, and the father he grew to be. 
The early editions were written in surplus army journals and tell of summer jobs for local farmers, a stay at an Adirondack Boy Scout Camp with his brother, their summer vacation, and his adventures on and around Irondequoit Bay. The first also tells the story of his fisherman pal grandfather and his battle and subsequent death of lung cancer. We were stunned to learn he and his grandpa both died of the same disease on identical date. September 28.
OH, my. I LOVE your treasures. They are gold! How I would love to have something like that from my family. I do have a couple from hubby's grandmother and I treasure them.
ReplyDeleteThey are gold, aren't they? :0)
DeleteAt my great grandmother's house was an autograph book that belonged to great grandpa. I always wonder what happened to it.
How can you possibly put a price on something so unique? definitely worth treasuring! A wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteChristine
They are priceless treasures.
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My Dad didn't leave me written treasures, but live a good honest life and loved my Mom until his last day. I have few physical family treasures, but many treasured memories. Thanks Martha for sharing and hurry on back.
ReplyDeleteMy dad left those kind of treasures too. His first concern when he learned of his illness was my mom. He was a great dad.
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Those truly are treasures. How wonderful to have these!
ReplyDeleteYes, Ellen, it is.
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They are so great to have. I need to make my boys a copy of his one journal still. I would love some copies of some of the others as well. I sure do miss him.
ReplyDeleteRachel, we should join forces and copy another to make into books. It's a long and tedious process, but well worth it n the end.
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I would like some copies too.
DeleteWhat a wonderful treasure trove - a look back at a life that has true meaning for you his offspring. Are they worth publishing?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if they would interest others or not, Marcia, but I spent many evenings copying that first journal of my dad's and making it into books for Christmas. I just didn't make enough of them.
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