Thursday, September 20, 2018

The Mexican Cane



Josie picked this old cane from the crockery churn in the mud room where we keep umbrellas and walking sticks and, as she practiced walking with it, I was overcome with a sense of nostalgia and the feeling of somehow coming full circle.


I 'won' the cane at the Florida State Fair over sixty years ago. It was one of those Guess Your Weight concessions and the guy -- who'd been quite accurate with all his other customers -- missed the mark with me.  The cane was my prize for being tall and thin and wearing bulky winter clothes.


It was a gaudy thing, before the paint faded. Made in Mexico,  it has the Mexican eagle holding a snake, along with other figures roughly carved and painted on it.


I was thrilled with my prize. I took it home and gave it to my beloved grandfather who always carried a walking stick.


Twenty some years later, he was still using it -- here on a walk with my older son -- who is also sporting a cane.



I inherited the Mexican cane and used it when I had back surgery, again when I had a knee replacement, and, most recently, after the catastrophe two years ago. 

It's not needed at this time but I keep it handy, just in case. For now I'm pleased to see the youngest generation playing with it.


7 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

What a great connection. You must try to emulate that photo with your grandfather and son when the time is right. You with Josie, perhaps.

Vicki Lane said...

Good idea, AC!

Barbara Rogers said...

I love full circe stories, complete with pictures!

Sandra Parshall said...

I hope you never need it again, but what a great string of memories.

Janet Morrison said...

I love that story! No telling how many generations in your family will use -- or play with -- that cane.

NCmountainwoman said...

What a nice story. I'm surprised the cane was the right height for both your grandfather and for you.

ArnnKnight said...

Thanks for your lovely shared memory; your posts brighten my day in this world of madness...