June 18, 2021 — Heading into this holiday weekend, I’m happy for all the fortunate folk who still have dads they love. Knowing Cardie Community Manager Felicia is as close to hers as I was to mine, I shared with her that the coming of Father’s Day was making me think of my dad often … and smile a lot!
He was such a character. If you’ve ever read Our Company Story, you know it was writing so many cards and notes to my father in the last months of his life — laughing and crying as I did! — that prompted my first Cardthartic Experience. And it was the kind messages loving people penned in their condolence cards after we lost Dad that inspired our Passages line … nearly 30 years ago now.
I’m reminded of that (Aristotle) quote, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Now that I don’t have my own dad around — his great energy championing me and cornball humor entertaining me — I actively fill that void with lovable men friends, a good friend’s father, my hilarious handyman, and favorite grill master. There is such wonderful male energy all around us for the asking; this weekend especially, let’s all make a point of acknowledging the smiles and simple joy these good guys bring to our lives.
To get this love fest started, we thought we’d share one of Cardie Maureen Kund’s favorite memories of her late father, Chief, a still quite-feisty 88 when the family lost him in 2018. You may remember this fun Mother’s Day tale great storyteller Maureen told about her mom Luvie and Chief after their beloved oops baby Sean was born. Well, here Maureen shares an exchange that gives us a great sense of her father-daughter bond, and may just remind you of some funny dad interactions of your own.
“I don’t like to cook and I’m not a good cook,” is how Maureen sets up the story, “but no matter what I made for Chief, he was always very grateful and content.” Here’s how one memorable meal went!
Maureen: Would you like me to make you some dinner, Chief?
Chief: No, thanks. I ate junk and crap all day while I watched golf.
AN HOUR LATER …
Chief: Maybe I could eat a small, plain, grilled cheese sandwich. Just something simple.
Maureen: Okay. Do you want any mustard or mayo on it?
Chief: Yeah, brown mustard would be great.
Maureen: Anything else?
Chief: Maybe a piece of that summer bologna. Do we have any?
Maureen: Yep.
Chief: Do we have any of those Wickles Pickles?
Maureen: Yes. Would you like them on the sandwich or on the side?
Chief: It would be great if you put four of them inside the sandwich.
Maureen: Got it.
Chief: And can you put two kinds of cheese in there … provolone and Swiss. And maybe even some of the sharp cheddar.
Maureen: Okay.
Chief: Do we have any onions? A slice of onion would be great.
Maureen: So you want a grilled cheese with three types of cheese, brown mustard, a piece of summer bologna, four Wickles Pickles, and a slice of onion. Do I have that right?
Chief: Yeah. On rye. Just a simple grilled cheese sandwich, thanks.
Hahaha. We hope you are blessed with your own fun dad memories, and you’ll carve out some quality time to recall them. Definitely plan to make new memories with the dads you’ve brought into your life. Laugh out loud, long and hard! 😉 And here are some cards designed to keep the smiles coming all year long. Have a good weekend!
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