53 Comments
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Linda Thompson's avatar

Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your Dad. It brought back memories of my father and his favourite aftershave: Old Spice.

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Deborah Way's avatar

Another good one 💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thanks, Linda. Old Spice is another Dad scent, for sure! And that creamy bottle. Lovely.

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Cindy Eastman's avatar

I had to stop in the middle of reading this to see who wrote it--because it was gorgeous. Well done, Ginevra. My dad used Mennen Skin Bracer, too, and shaving was one of the things he liked to do to feel like he could still take care of himself. What a lovely reminder for me and a truly lovely memory of yours.

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Deborah Way's avatar

The dignity of self-care ❤️

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Ah, Cindy, thank you for reading The Mennens! We are Mennens sisters!

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Stephanie S.'s avatar

Lovely piece, thank you.

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Deborah Way's avatar

Thank you for reading 💓

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Jan Burns's avatar

It amazes me how such small things can illicit such beautiful and poignant memories through all our senses. Your story does all of this and more. A touching tribute to your dad.

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Deborah Way's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thank you for reading and appreciating my story, Jan.

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Stephanie Weaver's avatar

Gawd what gorgeous writing. Thank you.

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Deborah Way's avatar

💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thank you! I’ve only been waiting a few decades to hear that sentence! :-)

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JR's avatar

Beautiful tribute. I am very moved by your loving act of shaving your father for the last time.

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Deborah Way's avatar

I feel the same 💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Daughters courageous! He made me brave. Thank you.

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Shari's avatar

Love your sweet story of your Mennon-scented Dad! Thank you for sharing these memories..

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Deborah Way's avatar

💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thank you Shari. How kind of you.

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Carmen Sweetman's avatar

How absolutely heart warming.

Love your dad.

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Deborah Way's avatar

Me too 💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Carmen, thank you for reading this story. And thanks for sharing with me your latest painting. Let’s keep our creativity going!

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purl2.knit1's avatar

So beautifully written I have little sense of smell left but I can recall the scent of my Dad's Bay Rum aftershave even though he has been gone 50 years this year. Odd how that just sticks wit you. Kind of jealous that you have that bottle to refresh those memories, not that you could even forget them. Thank you for sharing this.

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Deborah Way's avatar

Amazing that that scent is still alive for you 💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Ah, Bay Rum, I think that, Mennens and Old Spice are the Trifecta of Dad scents. I wish I could mail you Bay Rum bottle! Hats off to your Dad, too. Thank you.

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Ed Koenig's avatar

Thanks for sharing this story about your Dad.

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Deborah Way's avatar

❤️

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thank you, Ed, for reading it. I just love the stories on Thekeepthings.

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Elizabeth Stone's avatar

You write beaufully, you vividly make your dad real to us, and the photos are wonderful!

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Deborah Way's avatar

Agree x 3 ❤️

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thank you! I didn’t mention this in the story, but he could sing like Bing Crosby, too.

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Mary's avatar

Great tribute to your father.

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Deborah Way's avatar

💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Thank you, Mary.

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Tania M's avatar

What a wonderful tribute…

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Deborah Way's avatar

💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Tribute…yes, that’s what it is! Thank you.

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Sherri Alms's avatar

Poignant and beautifully written.

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Deborah Way's avatar

Thank you for reading 💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Sherri, you are so kind to say so. Thank you!

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Amy Halloran's avatar

Beautiful memories & writing!

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Deborah Way's avatar

💓

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

Amy, how kind of you. Yes, the memories are strong and good! Thank you.

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Eileen Vorbach Collins's avatar

I love all the Keepthings. This is one of my favorites ever. Just beautiful.

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Deborah Way's avatar

Love to hear this ❤️

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Ginevra Blake's avatar

ooh, me too, on loving Thekeepthings stories. And thank you for the lovely comment. So kind.

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