I Will Be Grateful For My Dad… Always.

I have spent a lot of time with my Dad recently. It has been quiet time together in his last days.

But in the past our time together was typically spent working on a project of some sort. My Dad helped me make my wooden sorority paddle when I was in college. He stripped and re-stained every single door in our first house – closets included. They were beautiful. Dad built and we installed together a swinging gate to close across our front porch so my husband and I could let our two dogs relax on the porch on nice days. He taught me how to “measure twice and cut once” and “lefty loosey, righty tighty.” There was nothing my Dad couldn’t build or fix.

When our daughter was born he built a rocking duck chair for her and a wooden train spelling out her name. When I needed a cubby and coat rack for behind my front door, I showed him the Pottery Barn one I wanted that was too big for my space and he built one to perfectly fit my needs. When my sister needed a TV console in her new townhouse, Dad built one for her. When my husband’s old mirror frame broke, he and my Dad designed and built a beautiful new frame together. When my Mom was eyeing the cool Ballard Designs wall drying rack in the catalog…you guessed it – my Dad built one for her.

My Dad showed every one of us his love in so many ways, but his love shined brightest when he was fixing and building things. I will be grateful…always… for the love of my Dad.

God bless you and keep you, Dad. I love you and miss you.

… Kristin

{My parents’ oak mirror that I turned into a weathered grey chalkboard for my entry. Undercoat in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old White and top coat in French Linen. Distressed and clear waxed. Mirror painted in Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint.}