Sunday, June 9, 2013

You Were Right, Dad

A  L  O  H  A !

Have you seen those
 "Dustpan-on-a-stick" things 
for sweeping into 
with a small one-hand broom?








They were a new thing 
in the janitorial game 
when when I was growing up
 cleaning office buildings 
with my Dad 
in his little
 maintenance company . 
 ( You can read more 
about when I was 16 HERE ).











That dustpan-on-a-stick
 we called a "Valet."

 Back then, 
when Dad and I 
clashed titanically, 
he used to tell me:
"Don't sweep so hard with the Valet. 
Just skim the particles off the floor, 
you're working too hard."


Since he was so wrong about
 me, 
I refused to listen. 

Just like him 
(I have his genes, after all)
 I knew
just the right way 
to do everything.










Today, Rubbermaid 
sells a "Valet" for home use.
 I have one, 
and it is just the thing 
to complement floor washing 
and floor vacuuming. 

Every time I use it, though, 
I realize that 
this was something 
that Dad was right about. 

I use it with professional pride 
(I'm a retired cleaner, 
except in my own home :)

Every time I make a "Sweep" 
with the little one-handed broom, 
each time, 
a little voice in my head 
repeats with love
 like a mantra:

"You were right, Dad; 
You were right, Dad; 
You. . . . "  

I'm really saying 
"I love you Dad."







O-Bon Lanterns heading out to sea 
Link

If your parent 
was a taxi driver, 
taxis will always 
touch your heart; 

But that's a story about 
my Grandpa.


In my heart's ear 
I hear him telling me 
to remind you 
to click on the book cover 
at the top right of this Blog!

The story of my 
taxi driving adventures 
as a newcomer in Honolulu 
are WELL WORTH $3 USD at Kindle!


> < } } (°>
' Take Peace & Smiles - Leave Your Comment '


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21 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

I think we can all come up with stories like this Cloudia - lovely memories.

Akelamalu said...

Dad's are usually right. ;)

Adam said...

Reminds me that father's day is just a week away

TexWisGirl said...

you were a typical stubborn teen. :) what a sweet post.

Charles Gramlich said...

I hope my son remembers some fond things about me when I am old.

Betty Manousos said...

big alohaaa!!!

such a sweet post!

Brian Miller said...

smiles....finally admitting he was right...that is a fathers day treat...i think we all were a bit rebellious once thinking we knew it all...

aloha from va

Erika said...

Mothers and fathers are always right dear Cloudia. I like ypur post very much. And your shots too. Kisses= baci

magiceye said...

Lovely captures!!

Namaste /\ from Mumbai
Aloha!!

Myrna R. said...

I guess it's the good intention that matters - right or wrong. Nice that you love your Dad. And yes your book was worth much more than $3.00.

Cloudia said...

Thanks, fellow teenage rebels!

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh what a lovely memory! Yes, indeed, simple things will bring up many associations.

Anonymous said...

Amazing photo of the lanterns; I first thought it was sunset shining on the water! I'm still rebelling, though. DrumMajor

Cloudia said...

Gosh I love seeing each of you so very much! :-)

Thanks!!!!

Hilary said...

Don't we all learn our stubbornness from our parents? Hmmm my sons are stubborn....

Maude Lynn said...

This is lovely, Cloudia!

Cloudia said...

Thanks, Dears

Carol said...

Take smiles of peace, The sound of Philadelphia, tsop!

Elephant's Child said...

Gorgeous memories. I too am stubborn - and of course it has nothing to do with me at all. I inherited it. (And claimed it as my own).
I suspect that both your father and your grandfather are never far away from you - also lovely.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I can definitely vouch for your 'taxi stories' Cloudia, super read! Gosh the link to the lantern ceremony was so sad. I need one of those 'sweepy' things :)

Kay said...

And your book was truly so much fun to read, Cloudia. What incredible photos you have on this post! Your dad gave you skills to use and appreciate for your life and that's a gift.