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:
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.
Good idea, AC!
I love full circe stories, complete with pictures!
I hope you never need it again, but what a great string of memories.
I love that story! No telling how many generations in your family will use -- or play with -- that cane.
What a nice story. I'm surprised the cane was the right height for both your grandfather and for you.
Thanks for your lovely shared memory; your posts brighten my day in this world of madness...
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