Oh, they just don't make toys like they used to. I'm so thankful that my parents bought me this toy. It makes me happy even today at 33 yrs old.
I've been thinking back quite a bit lately. My dad turned 60 this month and it has caused me to think alot about growing up. These Fisher Price toys always bring back good memories. We had everything from houses to airports, barns, schools and fire stations to campers with a tiny potty included. And this teeny toilet is still a family favorite among my boys, as potty talk is always funny and never gets old to us. Uhh hhmmm...I mean, them.
I sometimes miss being young. Those were the good old days. The days before evil and my flesh and the influence of the world affected me beyond what I knew was possible. Back then it was Fisher Price. And Barbies. And G.I. Joe. And playing in the tree house and the "fox hole". It was Sunday night "chicken night" with the Pirtles. It was playing "kick the can" until way after dark. It was laughing at funny things like "soup is good food" and "Behooold!!" ...things that only my family can understand without explanation. It's the kind of memories I can always go back to in my mind when I need to think of life as easy and light.
My parents used to set the alarm and wake us up in the middle of the night, load us into the suburban filled with T.P. and take us to roll the Zibrowski's yard. And this was no isolated incident. It was war. Sometimes Mr. Z would sleep in the bushes on Friday nights if he thought we were coming to surprise attack. I'm fond of that memory.
I have many fond memories. And I'm better today because of back then.
So happy late birthday to my daddy!! And in his honor, here's a few important things I learned from him over the years.
- How to make a good fist.
- Patience (although that one didn't stick with me at all)
- Good grammar. After all he did coin the classic phrase, "Well Gaawlieee! It ain't gettin' too much more warmer out here, ain't it??"
- "Stepping on frogs" sounds a lot like farting.
- The joy of giving.
- How to magically remove my thumb from my hand.
- How to use power tools.
- All the verses to "Come Thou Fount" which is what he sang to me in that deep voice that nearly disappeared on the lowest notes.
- And most importantly, that he loves me.
*And I love you too. Have a safe flight home from across the world!!
Peace, Love and all that Jazz
6 comments:
Abbey, this was SO sweet. I almost cried about him singing "Come Thou Fount" to you. You are SO lucky. Your dad is really amazing. And I know first hand that you learned the joy of giving from him. Well, him and Santa.
That is really sweet!
Also, we had the tiny potty too. Man I loved that thing!
I loved your memories and somehow I'm not surprised that your parents would wake you up and take you to TP a friend's house. I remember one TP adventure in college but I can't remember if it was doing your house or your mom came along. Hmmm.
We loved to play "kick the can" too ... and it always resulted in either wet pants (by my sister once) or running fast into the house to the bathroom as you were being chased. Why was that? So potties and kick the can totally go together in my mind.
Aaaaw, -C... that could have been either. Our yard was rolled ALOT by Southeastern students over the years, but my mom was not afraid to pack it up and go either! I love that you remember that. I do love to know people haven't forgotten about her. She's an incredible lady.
I love your TP memories!
My parents used to get mad about TPing.
I love your choking hazards...I mean old fisher price toys! ;)
We had chicken lunch at the Boes' AND thank God for street lights,huh? - kick the can rocks! I mean rockED! The only problem I have about this post is that you probably had way more fischer price toys than I did - spoiled brat:) Happy B'day Abbey's dad!
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