Easter Ducks

I have very few memories of my dad when I was young. However, my earliest memory of him is still very vivid in my mind and I am reminded of it every Easter.

One spring day when I was about 4 years old, the Saturday before Easter I believe, my dad was allowed to pick me up to spend the day with him. I remember it was near Easter because I was all dressed up in my Easter clothes. The dress as I recall was a white fluffy polyester dress with 2 crinolines underneath along with the Easter hat, gloves and ruffled socks and brand new patent leather white shoes. I remember almost every beautiful special occasion outfit I ever got because I LOVED dressing up and I especially loved showing my dad my special outfits. This Easter outfit was no exception – I was totally decked out for my daddy to see.

I remember reaching up to hold his very large hand and together we set off (2 doors down) to my grandmothers house to see the surprise he had for me.

In the yard – dad had an old metal horse-watering trough filled with water and 6 tiny yellow baby ducklings. I remember how excited I was. I had never seen anything like this before. They were so cute and so busy swimming around that little make shift pond. Dad turned over an old, but clean, wooden flower bucket – placed it up against the metal trough, covered it with his jacket, lifted me up and sat me down on the bucket so I could watch the ducklings swim and play with delight. I’m not sure who was more excited, me or the ducks. I recall periodically looking over at him as he worked on an old truck in the yard – his work truck I think. He’d give me a wink and I’d smile back. I was just happy to be near my dad. Somehow this made me feel very special and very happy to be able to spend this delightful day with my dad – just him, me and 6 tiny little carefree ducklings.

Every Easter now for about 10 years, I have had baby ducks at the studio for the kids to be photographed with. Each and every time I am transported back to a wonderful memory. One that to this day still brings a smile to my face. Memories like these are what life is all about.