Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Daddy's Little Helper

When I was a little girl I spent as much time as I could in the garage with my Dad.
I don't know if it was the scent of WD-40, the classic rock playing on the rusty old radio or just having a chance to escape my world of Barbies and Strawberry Shortcake dolls, but I loved hanging out in that garage.

My Dad was in the commercial fishing business, so he would often be gone for long stretches of time. We travelled with him up to Alaska for many summers and fishing seasons, but there were always times when he would be away from us.

I think I missed him so much that I didn't care if I would get a little grease on my new Kangaroo shoes (I had a purple pair with a rainbow stripe, what color were yours?). Spending time with him, watching him roll out from under one of our cars on a, what do you call it?, oh, a creeper, standing next to him as he "fixed something" at his workbench - those are some of my fondest childhood memories.

When I opened the door to our garage yesterday afternoon, I was struck with a sight that caused the largest of smiles to spread across my face.

There they were, father and daughter. She was still in her cute school clothes, perched on the bumper of his truck with the cap to his oil thingy clutched in her little hand. I tried to back up through the door from which I'd came without making a sound so I could go get my camera . . .



And, it worked! They never even knew I was there.

I didn't even mind that I'd be spending my night removing grease stains from Katie's clothes. Those kind of stains are the best kind to get.

14 comments:

Elizabeth Byler Younts said...

fabulous! my daughter is 1 and she already misses her daddy when he's out on business...he comes back late on Friday night and we're moving to a new house on saturday, so she's being babysat most of the day...she's going to be stuck to him like glue on sunday though...it's adorable. she's a mama's girl & a daddy's girl! :-) you have a beautiful family!

my dad had his own construction busn my whole life and even now when i smell sawdust...i have such fond memories and immediately think of my wonderful dad!

*elizabeth

Valarie Lea said...

Its always sweet seeing kids bond with their Daddies :)

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

That is an awesome photo. Save it and give it to her as a Christmas present twenty years from now.

flutter said...

two cutest little butts ever.

Allison said...

My husband is just dying for the day when our son can "wrench on stuff" in the garage with him!

Aleka's World said...

Aw!! That's sweet! :)

alice c said...

Is that one of your favourite posts ever, Carrie? Because it is definitely mine!

Anonymous said...

As one Daddies girl to another...
THAT'S THE BEST !!
i close my eyes and i can still smell Old spice!
My baby is just starting her daddy and her stage... LOVE IT

Anonymous said...

So sweet. The bond between a father and a daughter is priceless~!

Anonymous said...

Priceless...and a damn good skill to learn. No mechanic's gonna pull the wool over her eyes.

ADG

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

That is just the sweetest thing!

Family Adventure said...

That picture is the best...and the memories it brings forth.

Heidi

Girlplustwo said...

oh, wow. love it.

Unknown said...

Just darling...what a special moment to capture on film (digital) :)