[andysandmikesmom]

I am glad you enjoyed the story about dad...he was a wonderful man, who made my life growing up to be a fun and varied and interesting life...he was so beloved by everyone, especially all children...all my friends called him 'Pa' and he loved that...sometimes our house would be bulging with so many kids who loved to congregate at our house, and be with 'Ma and Pa Frazier'...I dont think half the time, my friends cared if I was at home or not...they came over anyway, often to get some gentle advice from 'Ma and Pa'...seems like many of my friends, had parents who were too busy, some had parents who were drunks, some had parents who just could not bother being parents...my mom and dad, God rest both of their souls, took time with all children...sometimes they were hard on my friends, and exacted strict discipline on them when they were at our house, but perhaps that is exactly what many of them needed...

Dads use of metal signs was not limited to outhouses...when my first girlfriend got married, as I was getting ready to go to the bridal shower, dad marched out with an oddly wrapped present, and told me to give it to the bride to be...

I could tell by the shape and feel of the gift, it was a plunger, and being this young lady, who thought her old man was sometimes off the deep end, I did not want to take the present for fear of being embarrassed...but dad insisted I take it, so I did...

Well, let me tell you, his plunger was a hit...it was not a cheapie plunger, but the more expensive complete plunger...and on the handle was a special metal sign, with the names of the bride and groom to be, inscribed on it...now how many folks do you know, who have their own very special personalized plunger...well, all my friends got one, and so did I when I got married...and most of my friends, as well as myself, still have those plungers...

And then the babies came along...and true to form, at going to the first baby shower, dad marched out with his wrapped present...but this present was in a box, I could not tell what it was, and dad would not tell me what it was...just told me to take it along with my gift, which I did....

Well, dads present was a potty chair, with a special metal tag on the bottom , and inscribed, was 'Baby so and so(Usually the married couples last name)...his potty chair, like his plunger, was the hit of the showers...

Dad always felt that his gifts were incredibly useful, and his special touch was the inscribed metal tag, put on each gift...I can see how and why folks just loved him...he was one of a kind..

[christine]

you know, of course, how blessed and lucky you are to have had a father like that. not to be dramatic, but take it from one who knows another kind of father...