If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morrrrning, I’d hammer in the eeevening……don’t you just love that song?  You might, if you remember it.  If you were born in my era you probably do.

This morning I was walking with my girlfriends we started to discuss about our being sentimental.  As we age, we’ve discovered that keepsakes actually matter more to us today than they did in our youth.

One friend was explaining this fact by sharing a story with us.  She said that she went through a lot of work and effort to make small quilts that she gave as presents to her children or grandchildren.  After they were used for their iinitial purpose and as the years went by, they were eventually used in some other way.  The other way that she noticed was that they ended up at the bottom of the dog kennel.  By the pained expression on her face, it seemed to me that she would prefer that her children were more sentimental and that they would cherish these homemade quilts in much the same way that they were created. 

I also shared a story with my friends about my hammer.  Many years ago when I was a preschooler, I used to work in the garage with my Dad.  He was a self taught carpenter as well as a general handy man.  I loved to spend time with him in whatever way possible.  At that time, he gave me a small hammer to call my own as I worked by his side.  Over the years, I didn’t think too much about that hammer but when I got married and left home (40 years ago), my Dad gave it to me. 

A couple of months ago, one of my granddaughters phoned and asked if she could spend the day with us.  Her Dad was on the way out and he promptly dropped her off at our house. Grandpa was busy hanging pictures using my trusty hammer so we asked our granddaughter to hand the hammer to Grandpa when he needed it.  I then explained to my six year old granddaughter that I used this very hammer when I was about her age.  She looked at me with that quizzical look of hers and asked “really”.    She probably was asking herself if I was ever really that young.

I proceeded to tell her how precious that hammer was to me because it was a gift from my father and it reminded me of our special times together.  One day I would love to give it to her but I want to wait until she can appreciate the importance of it.  I want to pass my hammer along, but as simple and as old as this gift may be, I want her to keep it and do the same.  Now isn’t that silly? Well not “really”.  My hammer signifies a lovely memory and cherished part of my life.  The words that I write are not unlike my hammer.  I want them passed along down the line, to my children, my grandchildren and so on. This is why I have chosen to write about my philosophy on life. It is what I want remembered and passed on to other generations.  Do you have a hammer/message too?  If so, please join me in song and pass your hammer along. If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morrrning, I’d hammer in the eeevening…..all over this town!

 Previously posted by TWG April, 26, 2010