It is hot in Cincinnati and getting hotter. We are predicted to go over 100 for a couple of days. I was hunting around the house for something that interested me. In the basement I found my grandfather's toolbox. So, family history continues. My father kept his father's toolbox. It has sat in our basement for almost 50 years - since I was 12 years old and Carl Custer chose to leave this world.
On the night that I was born my Dad did not allow his Dad to see his new granddaughter as Grandpa had started celebrating early. All of his life I never knew that he drank. I did know that I loved him and that he was always a lot of fun. He was a gardener, a night watchman, smoked pipes, had parakeets that only said "Petey is a pretty boy", called his car "the machine," read Cavalier magazines and loved me. I vividly remember being in a bar with him and sitting on it with patten leather shoes on. Must have been after he picked me up sober because I was told later that he had to pass Dad's test to take me with him in "the machine." Because of him I knew what a Pony Keg was. He is the same guy that thought it was a good idea to take me downstairs at the funeral home when his brother died. I had been asking questions and I guess he decided to answer them the best way he knew how (I am going to be cremated - scarred for life).
I found out that he had a drinking problems on the day that he hooked the sweeper hose up to the exhaust on "the machine." That is what I remember the most vividly as the family gathered here, in this house, after a neighbor found him. One of my older cousins told me then that Grandpa drank.
I'm glad that I never knew that there were problems. This was probably the first day that I ever even knew that "real" problems existed in my world. I never heard the arguments. I only saw the man that was so much fun - and loved me.
What a fantastic tribute to your grandpa. He might have had his problem, but he loved you and you him. That must be the best memory to have.
Really nice shot too.
Gosh what lovely memories you have of him, you were obviously well protected from the sad reality which is such a lovely thing. The pic is a lovely tribute and a great piece of history. Great idea.
Oh Cathy, what precious memories and I think it truely shows why innocence is an important part of our lives. There is so much 'stuff' that goes on and I often wonder if it needs to be so quantitative. The tool box is a wonderful reminder of your role in the life of someone else. Thank you for sharing something so touching with us :)
your story is amazing! isn't it so nice that kids are able to make their own minds up? so nice that you were able to see the man that you saw and not the one they saw. so glad you have those great memories...sorry you have the reality ones thrown in now too. but glad you have the treasure to remember him by!
Lovely shot... lovely story. I love that you remember the good things about him and though you know the rest of the story, that is not the most important thing in your memories of him. :)
Those who have had parents or grandparents who were there and loved them are so lucky compared to those who have not, even if just for a while. Glad you knew your grandfather, and sorry you lost him in the way you did. Such a personal tragedy for you, your family, and your grandfather, that I just don't know what to say.
@jenniprior I have great memories of him. @redrucksack Thanks Eva. He was quite a guy. @sugarmuser And we have to always nurture the child or the adult doesn't do well at all,. @jesperani I really had no idea what was going on. They always protected me from that. @worthitall Thank you Rashella. We all have our stories. @aurorajane You are welcome - and thanks for commenting on it. This is really a journal for me and I intend to share it with my sons. @psychographer Thanks you Lisa. I raised an author. @soboy5 Ah, thanks Danny. I loved him. @vickisfotos I never knew at the time so I was allowed the magic.
Cathy, your photograph is beautifully executed...nice texture on the worn woods and nice gleam on the metal thingies. My Grandpa was a "drinker" as well but all I remember is that he always brought me 7-up and Fritos when he came to visit:)
@vskolnik We had the same kind of Grandpa's. Glad your memories are the same kind of good as mine. @marlboromaam I don't even know what they all are. All sort of very old things in there. Nobody has opened it in years.
Cathy, that's an amazing shot of the toolbox. I can almost see all the memories thru your shot & story. I hope you have a family member you can pass this down to that will appreciate it and take care of it for many more generations. I too have memories of important people in my life that liked to drink more than socially, but I have great memories of them and my love has never faltered. I really love this photo!
That's is a beautiful story. The photo of your grandpa's tool box is beautiful...the ligjting on the warm wood tones, the composition ...lovely. I'm so glad you're documenting these things for your family. It's so meaningful.
@tishpics It is very special to me. @sangwann I have no idea what the majority of them are but my son the architect will. the Writer will have no interest in the box - just the story. He loves the old stories. @grammyn I hope so - they don't take my photography hobby too seriously. They like the calendars I make for them for Christmas.
I so enjoyed reading your story about your grandpa so much Cathy, it brought him so alive to us as well as alive in your heart still.
Wonderful memories of a full of life man!
I think when you're little you take people at face value & only see the best in them. I love how a hunt for a picture produces so much memory. Wonderful narrative & cool that you share it with us all. I never knew either of my grandfathers.
Gorgeous capture of the toolbox ... a great memory of his beloved tools. Wonderful story, Cathy. My grandfather was much the same ... but no one talked about it. My only living grandparent in my life while growing up was my Dad's mother. She taught us what family was all about and loved me unconditionally. Your story should really be treasured by the rest of the family.
I am 21 and only just starting to see all the things I have been protected from while growing up in our family so I can certainly relate. I think it is important to remember the good memories too. Great shot and story!
Nice tribute to your grandfather. I never knew either of mine, they passed before I was born. You have good memories to cherish of him. He did have problems, but he loved you.
Really nice shot too.
@redrucksack Thanks Eva. He was quite a guy.
@sugarmuser And we have to always nurture the child or the adult doesn't do well at all,.
@jesperani I really had no idea what was going on. They always protected me from that.
@worthitall Thank you Rashella. We all have our stories.
@aurorajane You are welcome - and thanks for commenting on it. This is really a journal for me and I intend to share it with my sons.
@psychographer Thanks you Lisa. I raised an author.
@soboy5 Ah, thanks Danny. I loved him.
@vickisfotos I never knew at the time so I was allowed the magic.
@marlboromaam I don't even know what they all are. All sort of very old things in there. Nobody has opened it in years.
Beautiful shot.
@sangwann I have no idea what the majority of them are but my son the architect will. the Writer will have no interest in the box - just the story. He loves the old stories.
@grammyn I hope so - they don't take my photography hobby too seriously. They like the calendars I make for them for Christmas.
Wonderful memories of a full of life man!