I always admired my father’s Benrus alarm watch. He used the alarm to remind himself of everything. It was the neatest watch in the whole wide world.
“BUZZZ!” I can still hear that sound and see Dad glancing at that Benrus, remembering an important meeting or something he needed to do. How cool was that?
On our way back to the States after assignment in Greece, our ship — the SS United States — docked briefly in Naples, Italy, where we were accosted by a young urchin selling watches on a street corner. Dad ended up falling in love with a gold-gilded beauty, and bought it on the spot. Later, as the ship passed through the Straits of Gibraltar, he said, “I want you to have this.” He gave me the Benrus alarm watch. “Don’t wear it until we get a chance to shorten the band.”
For two days I was in ecstasy secretly wearing that watch. It eventually slipped off my arm and fell overboard. Dad found me crying on the top deck that night, staring out at the cold Atlantic and our ship’s churning, phosphorescent wake. I explained what had happened. He removed his new watch and tossed it over the side.
His wrist had already begun to turn green from wearing it. “We both learned a lesson,” he said. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
I love your Dad! And the son he raised.
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Thank you — he certainly tried!
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He cared more about you than the watch. Awesome.
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Yeah, but… we both knew that rip off watch he bought on the street would have fallen apart in another couple of days anyhow. It was a cool gesture, though — watching him throw that watch overboard where it would never be seen again.
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It’s the thought (and the love behind it) that counts… little gestures like that stay with you for a lifetime.
My parents didn’t do things like that for me, but I had plenty of other people who did. Small gestures and kind words didn’t go un-noticed, and helped make me who I am today.
I literally raised my brother from a very young age, and he sometimes will comment on some little thing I forgot all about.. I didn’t think it meant anything, but it stuck with him.
Your posts and stories make my day! Thanks!
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wise man, your dad.
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