I spent the last two+ weeks in Pennsylvania with my dad. A long To-do list awaited me, with the biggest item on the list finishing the remediation of his study.

In July, the dehumidifier in his study malfunctioned, leaving carpet, wallboard, and bookcases waterlogged and damaged. My youngest brother and his wife helped Dad empty the office – which was no small feat. Contractors repaired the drywall, and I purchased new bookcases that were waiting for me when I arrived. Thankfully, a local handyman assembled them for us (I am known to be geometrically challenged). New flooring was ordered and scheduled for installation, so we unpacked boxes and returned books to his office.

I ferried the books to the office stack-by-stack, and Dad shelved and organized them. This process took four afternoons. To understand the scope of the job, an avid reader, Dad’s collection includes general reading, grad-school books, his teaching materials from his stint as an instructor at the USMA at West Point, materials from the National War College, his Army career, his second career in emergency management, yearbooks and photo albums. Forty-three shelves now hold just shy of 700 books – not including the books like “The Dummy’s Guide to Golf” we deemed unnecessary and pitched. 

The work slowed as we stumbled across yearbooks, photo albums, and memorabilia. We uncovered things I had never seen before and Dad had forgotten about – things like my baby book, Mom’s and Dad’s wedding album, his father’s military record, letters, and store ledgers from the 1800s. We lingered over the pictures and documents, chatting about our finds. I loved this time with Dad. If it weren’t for this small flood, I can’t imagine having ever the opportunity to sit with him and explore these treasures.

Here are a few of my favorite finds. 

My paternal grandmother’s high school senior yearbook entry. She wet on to study music at Beaver College. Dad told me that upon graduation she was offered a violinist chair in the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra – which her family would not let her accept.

My Dad’s senior high school yearbook entry. It turns out West Point was in his future as an instructor, but he attended Norwich University. “The drug house” was Fites Drug Store that featured a soda fountain.

My mom’s photo album from her senior year of high school in Japan had photos new to me. This one of my maternal grandfather, a chaplain in the Army and Lutheran minister.

My maternal grandmother, Ruth. She worked in a lab during the war and in later years as a school librarian.

Mom in 1957 when they were stationed in Japan. How I wish I could have her tell me the stories of these pictures.

My grandfather getting ready to walk Mom down the isle when she married Dad in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He also married them, so once down the isle, he stepped in as the minister.

From their wedding album.

Me and my brother, Joe – Fairfax, VA – 1976. Check out those train tracks I’m sporting!

My paternal grandfather’s Relief from Active Duty notice – 26 May 1945. He served in the Pacific during WWII. His formal retirement from the Army came in 1960.

A postcard sent to my maternal grandfather “From A Friend,” circa 1940.

A letter from my maternal granmother to my grandfather in 1945 during the war. Grandpa served in Europe. She writes of mundane everyday things and said, “There was no mail from you today. I am wondering how you are. Here’s hoping something comes through soon. I wonder if the time will ever come when we don’t have worries. It’s better when you are here to share them with.”

Dad and me – a photo of celebration when we finished our work! We celebrated with dinner out. How grateful I am for this time with Dad and the memories.