Who’s Your Daddy?

Even though my title is somewhat silly, this post is really quite a tender one for me.

I am sure that most of you have lot’s of stories that you could tell about your daddies.   Even if he is gone from this world those memories remain.

For me, the story is a little different.  You see, my father passed away when I was only 9 months old.  Now, don’t feel sorry for me.  My mother remarried when I was 7 and I had a wonderful step father who was just like a real father to me!

But the only stories I know of my father are the ones that my mother has told me.  Ones that I cherish and have saved amongst the pages of my heirloom scrapbook.

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Like the one about how he came to Utah from Ohio with the C, C, C’s.  He thought he was going to CA and was greatly disappointed.  That was until he met my mother at a local dance.

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She also told me how handsome he was.  And how he was kind, gentle, and such a hard worker.  This photo was taken on their wedding day.

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I really wish that I had asked more questions about my father.  I would have liked to have gotten to know him better.  Certainly not soon, but I look forward to the day that I will meet him in heaven.

I love this picture of him as a young man on a bike with his brother.  He is the one in the back.

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And this one of him and mom with my older brothers and sisters.  This was taken before us last three girls were born.  We were 9 mnths. 1 1/2, and 3 when daddy passed.

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We always teased our brother, Tommy and said that the pocket on mom’s dress looked like he had big shiny earrings on.

Imagine how elated I was when my oldest sister called last summer and said, “Do you want daddy’s old desk?  I really have nowhere to put it.”

Of course I said, ‘YES”.  I had no where to use it right now, but was saving it for the basement.  I brought it upstairs last week and started working on it.

The stain was a little dark for my taste, but I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to change the looks of what it was when it was daddys.

Hard decision, but after some thought I decided to go this way.  I painted the main part of the desk and chair with a mixture of A.S. Old White and some of my own homemade chalk paint.  I decided to leave the drawers in the original stain color.  Notice one drawer is a different color of stain?  I’ll tell you more about that in a minute.

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I loved the details on the desk that showed up so perfectly chippy after a bit of sanding.

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I knew that the chair need some distressing too.

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Now for that mismatched drawer.  We don’t know why, but for some reason a new drawer was made.  The wood nor the stain was the same.  Now, did you notice the different colored knob?  That was my SIL’s idea.  She came by when I was working on it.  I told her about the mismatched drawer and she mentioned that she thought it would be fun to draw attention to it.

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BRILLIANT!  I love my mismatched drawers!! Because it is going in the craft room I chose a mustard knob.  I thought of changing the wooden knobs to fun glass ones, but decided to leave it as it was when it was daddy’s.

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I love this old vintage type writer that I bought from a friends yard sale years ago for $20.  I thought it looked right at home on my daddy’s desk.

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Not sure if daddy ever typed a lick in his life, but if I imagine hard enough I can almost see him sitting there typing.

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If you can see a strong handsome man sitting there.  Yup, that’s my daddy!

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hugs,

Jann

I will be sharing with:

Ivy and Elephants for What's it Wednesday

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Shabbilicious Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Bernideens for HOME

Miss Mustard Seed for Furniture Feature Friday

Sunny Simple Sunday

Knick of Time Tuesday

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

39 comments

Maureen Wyatt said...

This post is a tear jerker! Having your dad's desk is priceless and you have restored it without losing any of the character. Well done and I hope you feel close to your dad every time you sit at the desk!

A Garden of Threads said...

A wonderful story, thank you for sharing.

Marsha said...

What a sweet and tender post. I know you would have loved to have known your daddy, but you have some great memories anyway. I love that you have his desk and can see it, sit at it and have wonderful pictures and stories of him in your head.
I'll do a post on this someday soon. I just finished months of typing all of my dad's letters that he wrote his parents while in WWII. He died 7 years ago. I wish I had the letters earlier so we could talk about them together, but that didn't happen. It was a pleasure for me to get to know my dad as a young adult at the age of 25.
Daddie are special....

Anonymous said...

This is probably the strangest comment I've ever left but when I saw the mismatched drawer I thought, "I hope she doesn't change it." It just seemed to me that it symbolized your dad among the three girls who were so young when he died. Maybe not placed there at the same time but still very much part of a unit. That's your dad's drawer. I love that you put so much time into the desk, that you have that cherished scrapbook, and that you didn't paint all the drawers to mask the one that was different.
melinda

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

What an amazing post.

I feel quite honored you have shared this with us, dear friend.

May your Daddy be at peace with my Mom and Pop, till we meet them again.

I cannot even believe your mother lost him so young, and with so many baines to care for, what a lady!!!

Nann said...

Your post touched me deeply Jann. And all the wonderful photos. Thankyou for sharing them. XO N.

Kris said...

What a beautiful story! Love the desk, AND the mismatched drawer!!
XO Kris

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Wow. I adore these memories of a man never "met" in your life as you know it. What special images and memorabilia you've shared. I'm grateful you took the time to prepare a delightful post just for me.

Counting your blessings with you,
~ Kelley

Heirloom treasures said...

What a lovely story Jann. The desk is really solid and all the better for being your daddy's

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post Jann!!!
I lost mine when I was 5 so can relate perfectly!
Big hugs,
Suzan
Oh and I love the desk!

Old Time Cindy said...

Jann,
Such a touching story and how nice to now have your father's desk.
Farmhouse hugs,
Cindy

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

I love the old desk and photos Jann. He was gone way to soon but glad you had a great stepfather.

Jill said...

Really nice, Jann! It made me feel for your mother, it must have been hard for her, with three small children....

Maria Elena said...

Jann, what a beautiful post and story! The desk is just priceless. How wonderful you get to use it after all these years!

Melanie said...

Jann, what a lovely post, this is one of my favorites that you have done so far! What a lovely priceless treasure!! Happy for you that your sweet sister did not have room for it any longer and that it stayed in your family!! It is lovely!

Anonymous said...

Oh yes, the unique drawer totally works! Great idea!

You are very blessed to have had 2 great dads. I wish i could say the same but I can't. I can say I have a wonderful husband of 30 some years, and I'm VERY thankful for that! ♥

must love junk said...

Jann, what a sweet, sweet story!! LOVE the desk, love the 'mismatched' drawer! :)
Susan

Christine @ Stonehouse Living said...

Hi Jann,
What a lovely post!
Such a heartfelt story...
Great makeover on the desk, love the quirky drawer! I bet you are getting so excited for your new craft room. Congratulations!!
All the Best,
Christine

Shirley Hatfield said...

Reading my blog list today, I find that my Utah friends in particular are thinking about their fathers. Mine is still alive, but he is moving to Chicago in a few months. But to me he he will always be living in Fort Canyon on his dad's old fruit farm. I can feel how much you miss the father you lost so young. By preserving his desk you have something precious that brings him closer to you. What a lovely story!

The Farmers Daughter said...

Jann, I'm so sorry you never knew your Dad but so happy you have a part of his legacy! I, too, inherited my Dad's desk and his Underwood typewriter! It sits on the desk. Every time I look at it, I smile. I know you will, too. What a great post!
Hugs,
Dru

Dana@Mid2Mod said...

Such a sweet story!

Fran. said...

Awesome story!! LOVE the pic of your dad on the bike!! The desk is perfect I lOVE the way you are keeping a part of him but yet making it your style!! That's what I lOVE about you is your creativity and Love. Thanks for sharing. XOXO Love Fran.

Two Cottages And Tea said...

What a touching story. If your Daddy was here I feel he would be so proud of you! The desk is such a treasure, glad you have it.
Hugs....Nancy

Visits With Mary said...

All your old photos are wonderful, and now your Dad's desk too. It's nice that you have him with you through these treasures.

Sumaya at Evocative Vintage said...

A very touching story Jann. Your Dad was a very handsome chap indeed, and what a lovely family picture.

You have done a great job on your Dad's desk and I love the quirkyness of the mismatched drawers.

Happy weekend!:)

Chenille Cottage said...

My dearest friend,
My heart is deeply touched by your loving tribute to your Dad.
What joy there will be one day when you are reunited with him.

Thank you for your dear wishes on the birth of my little grandbaby. He is such a gift!

Please visit my blog...I have a little something just for you...It comes from a heart of love and friendship.

Blessings and hugs,
Carolynn xoxo

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Daddy. Feeling sadness for your mom and all eight of you children as I know you miss him. Wondering how your mom coped, emotionally and financially, when he passed away. All the stress and trauma. And sending a big hug to you, while being thankful for a wonderful stepfather you had.

Mary

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

What a touching post. I do hate the fact you did not get to know your dad and bless your Mom for raising you and your brothers and sisters. So glad you had a step father who was your father. Thanks for sharing this piece of you with us

Rose L said...

It is something you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Elena said...

Thank you Jan for sharing this story about your dad. Such a beautiful tribute! God bless you!

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Oh Jann....a sad but also heartwarming tribute to your father! :)

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

Your desk is such a treasure to have! My dad died when I was 25 and my mother married a wonderful man that was my dad for another 25 years! I received my package...I love everything..I will be doing a post next week on your sweet giveaway (hopefully) I have been fighting the flu for a week! Hugs, Penny

Unknown said...

What a lovely post! So much memory and love! Your daddy was a looker, and a fantastic person, and the desk is lovely, I agree, the drawer is unique and sets it apart!

Hugs,

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Sweet post. Loved hearing about your dad and so happy you have his desk...very unique and special piece!
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Cindy

Winnie said...

It was very emotional for me to read this post
I also lost my Dad at a young age (I was a little older than you), and I feel that he will always live in my heart, as I can see your Dad keeps living in yours

Micupoftea said...

Hello Jann~
What a sweet post and wonderful memories. A treat to have your Dad's desk, and a lovely tribute to him! How fortunate that you had plenty of siblings, a loving mom and a great step dad.
Enjoy the time with your big family :)

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Hi Jann! Coming over from dear Carolynn's to visit you. Oh! Such a lovely and precious tribute to your dear daddy. I'm so very sorry you lost him so very young, so heartbreaking. I'm so glad you have so many siblings who you could pool your memories together, along with your mothers.
How wonderful to have your fathers desk and what a splendid tweaking. I adore the one "odd" knob, so much fun.
Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs!

Ivy and Elephants said...

Love the sweet story of your Dad. Your Mom must of been amazing carrying on with so many small children. But that was what really family was about. It wasn't always easy, but there was always love.
Now you have this great desk to remember him by and pass on to your children. Thanks for sharing with us.
Hugs,
Patti

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Thank you for sharing this post with us. The family photographs and the scrapbook album you have are wonderful. The story about your Dad being disappointed to be in Utah instead of California, until he met your Mom, is special family history for generations far into the future. I like the way you have refinished your Dad's desk. It looks perfect.

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