My father shared my sun sign – Virgo – and exhibited the typical care for fastidious neatness and order throughout his life. Dad’s been on my mind of late, probably because the high summer weather we’ve had of late rekindles his last summer with us. As I was preparing for our first flush of guests this season, I thought of him again. He used to hose off the front sidewalks and driveway of my childhood home whenever guests would be visiting, and as I found myself employing the same studied techniques, I felt comfort in the memory.
There’s a better cleaning that results from a hose-down compared to simple weeping, and in these dry, hot days, it doubles as a watering for the lawn. What once made me wonder at the point of such meticulousness in method, I now employ and enjoy as the best way to spruce up the look of a home. It is comfort and care, and a nice way to remember my father. It’s also a sign of hospitality and respect, two things that my father taught me through example and illustration – the very best kind of lesson a child can have.
