Jars, Rags and a Sleeping Bag

I’ll never forget the Christmas that Dad told the family all he wanted that year were empty jars. I passed the word around to all female family members to save jars for me to give to Dad at Christmastime.

Dad’s garage had every tool available for the weekend handyman jobs he had lined up. All he wanted were jars so he could organize his nails, nuts, bolts, and screws by size. Over the counter or his work space in the garage he built a contraption of slats that suspended from the ceiling. He nailed the lids of the baby food jars to the slats then just screwed the jar into it. Dad was genius at this type of thing…his garage was neat and clean and well organized at all times. Any mess he created was cleaned up as soon as he was finished with the project at hand.

The family sure came through with the jars (especially those sisters of mine). I wrapped them in tissue to keep them from clanking and breaking, and he had the largest box to open under the tree. We shared in such family joy and laughter just watching dad fumble to open his humongous box of jars.

The following year, he exclaimed to the family that all he wanted were rags. Again, I passed the word to the family, gathered and cleaned rags all year long, then presented him once again with the largest box under the tree. This year too, the family shared in the fun and jocularity created when dad opened his Christmas “gift wish” of a load of rags.

The first year that I worked my “real job” and received a paycheck, I bought a very extra nice gift for each family member. My special gift to Dad was an all-weather super deluxe sleeping bag. He loved it and was so proud of it that he kept it in his car at all times.

He had that sleeping bag for years until he had to go to a union meeting in Los Angeles. His car was broken into and the sleeping bag was stolen. He was quite upset about it for the longest time.

I’m so glad, dad, that after all you gave to me, I could at least come through for you with a few jars, rags and a sleeping bag.

Sharon Benson Smith is a member of the writing class offered through the Cerritos College Adult Education Program. It is held off-campus at the Norwalk Senior Center.