My father was a horologist. I used to love to tell folks that. He quit high school to join the navy after Pearl Harbor. He served as a tail gunner. When he came home he went to school to become a watch maker. He got his high school diploma the year that I went to kindergarten - just because he wanted it. All of my growing up years he worked in a jewelry store, making $100 a week in 1969 when I graduated from high school. He bought me a piano because at that point in my life I went to college for voice.
The family that owned the store where he worked closed it as there was not much call for hand made watches by then. Dad got a job with a company that eventually made the firing mechanism for the Hellfire Missile that is still used by the USA today. I have one encased. I'll never forget when he had to pass an OSHA clearance and I got such a "little girl" lecture because our politics were so different. Peace signs and blue jeans weren't his thing.
I have to go to the cemetery later for Memorial Day. We may not have agreed on politics but we always agreed on how much we loved one another. After all these years I am still my Daddy's little girl. I honor him this weekend and always.
@happypat Thank you Pat. @cromwell Now Cromwell you are making me cry again. Thank the man, not me. @soboy5 Thank you Danny. @jenniferruge Thank you Jennifer.
@yonnie Hay Yvonne we are the same age. It is a great time of life if you ask me. @photos222 I miss him even more as time goes by. @janets Thank you Janet
@grannysue Wow Linda we have an entire group of 61ish year old folks here. That's pretty cool. And thank you, I do have memories to treasure. @seanoneill He was quite a guy. I like to read what you are doing because you are making those same memories with your children now. Keep it up.
I love old pocket watches! They have such fond memories for me since both my granddads carried them all their lives! A marvelous story, Cathy! I know what you mean about disagreeing with the politics. The older my father got, the more lax he became and the stronger I grew in the principles I was raised with as they proved to be so true the older I got, but I was still daddy's girl and I guess I always will be. It's such a shame that pocket watches went out of fashion for men. They are remarkable time pieces and some were so elaborate and beautiful, playing lovely little tunes. I used to love to watch my grandfather wind his and reset the time, as I sat in his lap when I was small. LOL! It didn't take the world to entertain me when I was little like children today.
@seanoneill I meant it Sean. I love to see guys doing things with their children and you speak of it often. My Dad did, my husband raised my two sons and my son has been an involved dad and my younger son is doing a great job with his girlfriend's two sons.
@marlboromaam I would love to sit down with you and talk some day - down in your mountains. Always seems like we have a lot in common. It seems silly to say it this way now but I am an only child and my Dad lit up the world for me - then and now. I am blessed that my husband is much like him.
I was posting you on this photo on my cell phone and lost signal, Cahty. Enjoyed your words. Much of what you and Marlboromaam said above resonate with me. My paternal grandfather was born about 1884, was 36 when he married my grandmother. My dad was given his pocketwatch, which I still have, and will pass along to a grandchild. I believe the watch may be older than my grandfather was, and the "fob" is a length of trot line cord. My dad was a career soldier, with medals from WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam (2 tours there). He was a tough, honorable, and loving father and I miss him every time he crosses my mind. Thanks for making me think of him today.
oh, your story brought tears to my eyes. your dad sounds like such an interesting man and wonderful father. this is a lovely tribute to him.
i miss my dad too.
What a sweet story, a lovely reminder of all we have to to be thankful for this Memorial Day Weekend...that is, to remember all those who have served our country.
@swguevin Thank you Sheila @vickisfotos Thank you Vicki @filsie65 Thanks Phil. Thinking of my Dad. @sangwann I guess there are still folks doing it but not the corner, family owned jewelry store anymore. @paulaag Paula I know how you feel. It is so difficult. thank you. @carolmw Thanks Carol. @vskolnik Thanks Vee. It is certainly time for that.
@cromwell Now Cromwell you are making me cry again. Thank the man, not me.
@soboy5 Thank you Danny.
@jenniferruge Thank you Jennifer.
And btw, we graduated from high school the same year ; )
@photos222 I miss him even more as time goes by.
@janets Thank you Janet
@seanoneill He was quite a guy. I like to read what you are doing because you are making those same memories with your children now. Keep it up.
@thebluegnu Thank you. I appreciate it.
@hannak Thank you. Each of my sons has one as does my husband.
i miss my dad too.
@vickisfotos Thank you Vicki
@filsie65 Thanks Phil. Thinking of my Dad.
@sangwann I guess there are still folks doing it but not the corner, family owned jewelry store anymore.
@paulaag Paula I know how you feel. It is so difficult. thank you.
@carolmw Thanks Carol.
@vskolnik Thanks Vee. It is certainly time for that.