Friday, April 9, 2010

Daughters

My dad often took us girls along with him- wherever he went. It wasn't just Nick. Whether it was changing the tire, butchering pigs, cows, chickens- whatever, skinning deer, hitching the trailer, driving in bad weather, chopping wood, lifting HEAVY things, chasing loose animals, cleaning out the barn, throwing hay bails, driving the tractor, getting vehicles unstuck (or stuck for that matter), putting the boat in and out, driving the boat, playing ball...

I love that- I love that Amy, Kari, and I are able to take care of ourselves quite well- and that we were able to get that time with Dad. Even if we did complain a bit each time he said it was time to butcher chickens or spend the day throwing hay bails- once we got out there we seemed to have a good time together.
Here roles are a bit more defined. Just last week when Roger was visiting he comment on the fact that you see all these businesses named "so and so and Sons" no businesses involving daughters. Slowly things are changing and women are becoming more involved in areas that were dominated by men. At times it is a bit hard for me here to find my place. It seems often I spend more time with men since I am not so good at staying home.

I have always been pretty happy with my garage (auto-shop). They take good care of me- as I have mentioned before they are like my own AAA. I have known that there was a female mechanic working there for some time. Amie has changed my oil a couple times and worked with Kai on my carburetor. However I was pleasantly surprised when I went for an oil change before our trip to the North to find a mechanics class only for women.

Jawad is the owner of the garage. When I arrived I found him sitting next to an engine with 11 girls surrounding him- sounds like this story could go two ways- but these girls all had their oil stained grungy clothes on and you could tell they had been working right along side him. I love this garage all the more now.

I let them all know that my dad would have been proud. I too was proud.

Thanks Dad!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

You guys had soooooooo many adventures! One that comes to mind is you driving the truck to pull a display case out of the back door of the Meat Market. You were 10 years old and had been driving the truck to help your dad for a while. You got the case out of the shop, and then stepped on the brake, but the truck wouldn't stop. Emily was in the truck, looking out the back window watching your dad yelling at you to STOP!! None of you realized that as hard as you were standing on the brake, Emily was pushing on the gas!!! Fun, fun memories!!

Thanks for the reminder, Ceek. I can't wait to see you in a coupla months! Love, MOM

Anonymous said...

Dad thought this was an awesome post and really appreciated it. I thought it was a great post too, brought back some great memories.


Love ya,
Amy

Pam newsome said...

I enjoyed this post very much as well. Thanks for sharing Christie. So nice to hear about the girls being trained with mechanics!!! How nice they can learn to take care of their own vehicles or earn some money working for someone.