Sunday 3 February 2013

My Oh So Precious

So today it's time for the second Story Telling Sunday of the year, head over to Sian's at From High in the Sky to join in!
Well let me show you my precious, come on in and make yourself at home.


Actually, you've just walked straight past my precious.  It's something so plain though so I'll forgive you for not noticing.  It's something that hangs in my hallway and nobody notices or understands the relevance of but, to me, it's one of my favourite and most important things.  It's my Dad's coat:


After a twelve year battle, from the age of 58, with Alzheimer's my dad finally passed away just over five years ago.  This coat was the one thing I took from my mum's after he'd died and I love it.  My dad did have jewellery but I never saw him wear it, I wanted something that really made me think of dad.  It reminds me so much of him, of when he went out to walk the dog or when he went to his club.  It's not a shrine and it's not morbid it's just one of the little things that makes me think of him and smile.


Every morning when I go out to work it's the last thing I see before I open the door and every day when I return it's the first thing I see, it makes me happy and it lets me know he's with me all the time.  All the silver and gold in the world wouldn't make up for this very precious item in my home.
Head over to Sian's now and show us your precious.
Thank you for stopping by
Jo xx

31 comments:

debs14 said...

This story really brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely 'precious' that is. And I can see why it means more to you than anything else would have. How lovely to have something that you see every day that brings back happy memories. Truth indeed that the best things in life do not have to be expensive objects.

Amy said...

I really think this is lovely - I feel so lucky to be able read so many stories about what people hold precious - thanks for sharing yours.

Becky said...

How wonderful to have such a 'down to earth' reminder of your Dad. So often we have mementoes that are hidden away (like jewellery) as they are too precious to keep out all the time. To have his coat hanging there is such a wonderful reminder of him. I can see why it is so precious to you. x

Unknown said...

That is a lovely thing to do and I can see why it would be so precious to you. Thanks for sharing that story.

Sian said...

Jo, I love this story! Beautifully told with warmth and love: it's perfect. Thank you.

My Grandparents had a hall stand and my Grandpa's hat was about the only thing that sat on it. When he died my cousin got stand and hat and it sits in his hallway now. So this spoke to me

Sheena said...

Jo x
I have tears in my eyes as I read your story x
What a wonderful way to remember your Dad xxx

Jane said...

I know just what you mean, when my dad passed away it was his leather jacket that meant the most to me, thanks for sharing x

Scrappi Sandi said...

How wonderful & I'm so glad you shared this! :D

Denise said...

This has bought tears to my eyes too- thank you for sharing - so special - I feel your emotions and have some of the same things too x

♥ Liz ♥ said...

What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Sandra said...

Wow Jo ... You've bought a real tear to my eye - you've written this with such love that I can really feel it. Beautiful xx

Lythan said...

Its funny the things that link us to others isn't it. How lovely to have been able to keep this special treasure!

Melissa said...

What a nice treasure to have to remember your dad & I especially like that you have it out where you can see it & be reminded daily.

When my PaPa died, I kept one of his flannel jackets & use it as a work jacket. Maybe I'll have to tell that story one Storytelling Sunday.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story and what a special way of remembering your Dad every day.

Lou said...

aww Jo - such a lovely story and you're not on your own. My DH has his dads fishing coat x

Anonymous said...

Have tears in my eyes reading this. I have personal experience of how one seemingly lifeless object like this can hold so many memories and be so important to those who still live. I know exactly how you feel when you are comforted seeing it hanging there when you leave and enter your home. Thanks so much for sharing this.

Alison said...

A lovely way to remember your dad..not at all morbid, just very comforting for you
Alison xx

My not so simple life said...

what a lovely story. Very true that the most precious things are the simplest

Ginger said...

Beautiful Jo :) Very meaningful and precious.

Karen said...

These special objects hold so much meaning---thanks for sharing your story. It's clear how much your Dad meant to you, and how much you miss him.

Mary B said...

That is such a wonderful precious item to have and I understand completely.

Anonymous said...

What a very special way of being reminded of your Dad every day. I can see why it is so precious to you.

Elizabeth said...

I understand your feelings. Thank you for sharing.

Missus Wookie said...

When my Grandpa died (husband of Carolyn in my story) one of the things I took away were some of his shirts, huge on my even for nightgowns but still much loved as a reminder of him. So glad you have his coat and no, it's not morbid at all.

dogmatix said...

Such a lovely story and great that you have something of your Dad that holds real memories for you. We are the same in our family....my parents still have (and wear) my brothers football shirts and I have a scarf that he used to wear to matches which were such a big part of his life.

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

That's lovely Jo and beautifully told. It brought a tear to my eye too xx

Susanne said...

Oh, its wonderful to remember the everyday things about our parents when they are gone. I understand how it makes you think of him and smile.

Barbara Eads said...

I think you have picked a great item to remember your dad by. It's a great idea to have it hanging with the rest of your coats. That way you will remember him and what he meant to you on a regular basis. I'm going to share your idea with some of my friends.

Jen said...

You brouhgt tears to my eyes reading this - but oh how I understand how much thar coat must meant to you. My son's clothes still hang in his wardrobe - I haven't yet got to the place where they bring comfort - but knowing that one day they may do so is extraordinarily uplifting. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this story. J x

Mel said...

That's a great momento and definately something everyday to remind you of him.

Unknown said...

That is a wonderful precious!