My dad gave me a toolbox when I was in high school. It contained just a few essentials: a hammer, a handsaw, a set of screwdrivers — and a photo of his dad, a reminder that being handy ran in the family. As a teenager I wasn’t particularly interested in tools, but that small kit followed me through life.
I took that toolbox to college, to New York City and eventually back to Richmond. With each move my need for tools — and my comfort using them — grew. Over the years I added levels, drills, wrenches and other basics, and the collection outgrew the original box. Yet we still reach for that handsaw and screwdriver set around our house. The hammer, I suspect, is still lost somewhere in Manhattan. Sorry, Dad.
This pre–Father’s Day post is a simple thank you to my dad, to Sherry’s dad and to all the fathers who passed on practical skills and confidence to the next generation. To honor them we dug up some old, mildly embarrassing photos. (Note my dad’s tie — it was a Father’s Day gift I made with puffy paint. Proof that artistic intentions don’t always improve apparel.)
But enough about our dads — we want to hear about yours. Do you have a story about a father teaching you a handy skill or sharing memorable advice? Are you planning something special for Father’s Day? I’ve got a surprise gift ready this year, but I’m keeping it under wraps until he opens it. No spoilers!