Friday, January 13, 2012

remembering dad.

my dad and his brother owned and operated restaurants. one of the restaurants, the leilani, was a HUGE part of my life. it is so often still in my dreams. growing up in a restaurant and having a dad who was the MOST amazing chef is the reason for my innate love of food. my dad and i had many things in common, one being the love of any and all foods. there is not a single food that i will not eat with delight (except mint jelly . . . but that is really a condiment . . . and my dad liked it).

yesterday someone sent me this lighter from our restaurant that they thought i would want (I DO). it is well over 50 years old. and today marks the 4th anniversary of my dad's passing. i'm sure he is having a big feast somewhere. bon appétit, daddy-o.

10 comments:

Rosa Sputnik said...

WOW! What a wonderful gift. My Dad passed away almost 24 years ago. Yesterday I brought my Mom's clothes to Goodwill, she passed away 2.5 years ago.
This lighter is a wonderful memory to keep. :-)

Jasmin

Kathryn said...

What a sweet momento to have of your dad. My musician mother passed away 23 years ago and I now have her recorder she used to play, with her bright red lipstick still on it! Hugs today for you!

Carolyn said...

Rae,

I loved the Leilani. It was very often the restaurant of choice for our birthdays and other special occasions. How wonderful to have these memories and a physical momento to remember the family, food, fun and creative gifts you had in commmon with your dad. Blessings!

rae dunn. said...

WOW kathryn. now THAT is a great treasure. THE LIPSTICK !

BLANK said...

He must have been an amazing guy to make a kid like you!

rae dunn. said...

. . . he was the MOST amazing. and thank you !

Tracey Broome said...

My dad always had a similar lighter in his pocket. Every time I hear one of them I think of him. Not a lot of those great things around anymore.... what a wonderful thing to have sent to you!

Natalie Thiele said...

What a thoughtful gift and sweet remembrance. A gentle reminder of something that brought great pleasure to your father.

rae dunn. said...

Tracey, YES, the sound of those lighters AND the SMELL ! It's UNDENIABLE !

Tracey Broome said...

oh yeah! the SMELL!!