i see my dad….why is it that most (not all) women i know rarely talk about their dad?
i mean, don’t get me wrong, i look like my mom…strikingly like her, thank you lord for making her beautiful with the most amazing skin that seems to age so much slower than anyone on the planet…
but when i sit & think & ponder…i see it, i feel it…we even have the same name ~ Jackie Ray & Jackie Rae (not Jacqueline, just Jackie…just the way i like it…)
it started with RETAIL…it’s like a long four letter word…i’m pretty sure he never thought, nor wanted me to follow in his footsteps…he grew up in retail too…Caldor, Zayre, early Targets…he was a head hunter for years also & i remember the script he’d have me rattle off when i made “cold calls”…..”my name is Jackie, i’m with a retail executive search firm & we are currently doing a search in your area….”
i never thought after college, the military & tromping around the country that i’d settle in and get those same calls myself someday…but i did…until i left it all behind to open my shop…
retail was good to me, it’s still good to me…it’s what i know, it’s in my blood…it’s not for everyone & it’s not for everyday…but when you love it, you love it…and if you hate it, you know by day 10…
my dad “hung it up” after years too…many many years…and “found himself” later in life…i’d say after 50…he’s different, grown…he’s become a fierce advocate for charities and causes that he believes in…he calls…he texts me more than some most of my friends…he sends cards…i think sometimes he wants to “make up for lost time”….don’t we all????
not that he wasn’t a great dad when i was young…he was just a “young” dad…and not in age, if you know what i mean…i’m sure he has regrets (don’t we all)…and i’m sure if given the chance he’d go back & maybe do a few things over…..i myself, have those moments…maybe it’s because of my dad that i’m having them earlier in life, maybe that’s his gift…
other things i get from my dad…my temper, my sensitivity, my fear of saying goodbye or even see you later…my slightly (i use this term loosely) wild side…my love for animals, the outdoors, shopping, sweets (i’m doomed here…my mom loves them too…it’s a curse)…
so now…that we’re both older, we talk more…share more, listen more & the other day i told him “dad, i’m going to slow down, stop raising hell…” and you know what he said???
“don’t be a quitter….”
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi there Jackie… you don’t know me but I know your dad… and he’s pretty amazing as is your mom!!! He shared your website with me and I’m so glad he did. Thanks for sharing him with the world because I think he’s pretty dang special!! ~ Lori Allen
thank you so much! and nice to “meet you”….they are pretty great, right???
Love this! Made me cry… and I can totally hear him saying, “don’t be a quitter.” Good ‘ol Uncle Jack!
Such an awesome post. It inspires me even though I’m not ready to confront this post in my life… <3 you.
maybe someday my friend….all…in…time…
really special post, Jackie. i always think of myself as more like my dad. he was such a hard worker who didn’t have time or energy to spend lots of it w/us kids (there were 8 of us; poor guy had no choice but to put in 100 hrs/wk). but i’m blessed to still have him (and my mom) w/me; we’re making up for lost time by spending lots of time together, sometimes just chatting.
Just looking over your web site . ( Lori has had nothing but praise for your shop !!)Reading your blogs. loved this one about your Dad . What a great guy ! He always seemed to know when Dave and I got into a house project , way over our heads, and there he’d be , to advise and help ! Please tell him the Dunbars say Hi !
SO great to hear from you…and it was awesome to see Lori…time sure does fly…i told him to check this out, he will get a kick out of hearing from you….
Irene, glad to hear from you! Still the same ole Jack, just a lot more wrinkles. Very proud of my daughter and her values and family, takes a lot after her mother. Time takes our toll on all of us, its just s blessing to have 2 wonderful children, give my love to your family. Much love and happiness, your friend. Jack