This past weekend I worked with some of my sisters on cleaning the belongings out of my parent’s house. It isn’t always easy but usually it has some rewards. On Saturday I found this shelf fungus present that I made my parents for Christmas when I was 11. I remember at some point in my childhood my father told me that some people dried out pieces of fungus and painted on them. I decided to try that myself. I found this piece of fungus when I was hanging out at “the grove”, a local park with nature trails, with my older sister and our neighbor. Then I dried it out and painted it with my poster paints.
I remember that I was worried that it wasn’t a big enough present for both of my parents together so I used my allowance money to buy them a jar of dry roasted peanuts as well. When I was a grown-up my Dad told me that he always pretended to like the dry roasted peanuts that I bought him for Christmas. (I did it more than once. I got them because he acted so excited the first time).
He also told me that the shelf fungus present was one of his favorite presents that I ever gave him.
It made me feel really happy when I found it in his dresser this past weekend. I can’t believe it is still around 33 years later.
So there are nice surprises in this process. Cleaning out my parent’s stuff is hard but it isn’t all bad. Plus, I am enjoying hanging out with sisters and bonding with family through this experience. Maybe I will find some other things to share with you in the future.
I remember when you made that thing!
I do too. I think I was with you and Christy C. when I found it.
Beautiful Kate/ such good memories!!
It is fun to find stuff that you made and know that the recipient liked it
I love reading your blog. This post is no exception. I can picture your dad showing excitement over the peanuts. Homemade gifts are the best.
Thank you Mandy! I am so thankful that you and your family and my parents had such a nice and wonderful relationship. I know how much it meant to them. 🙂