Daddy's Hankie- Memories

We finally got everything squared away with my husbands Father's estate. While cleaning out the last bit of stuff, we come across handkerchiefs. Lots of them. Some were old and stained and some were still in the box. My husband would toss them in the trash as I kept retrieving the good ones. Some were fancy and monogrammed with a D.



He looked at me funny with a little smirk. "Nobody uses hankies anymore, just throw them away". I replied, "But they are still good and some still boxed! Everybody needs a hankie!"
"Ok" he said, "just do what you want with them".
My plan is to use them to practice making crochet lace trim.

Then the memories came as I put away the boxed ones and gently washed and folded the old ones. My daddy always had a hankie in his pocket. He also had four snotty nose kids with him all the time.


Daddy wiped many tears and runny noses with his hankie. He would fold the dirty part to the inside and slid it back into his pocket. The next kid up, he would always say, "Here is a clean part to use" and we would.

Daddy's hankies were there to wipe up our spills, clean sticky fingers or polish our shoes. I’ve seen him use them to wipe a foggy windshield or wrap around a kitten. They may have even been used to take a fish off our hook a time or two.


So I'm keeping the handkerchiefs we found. Even though these are not my daddy's hankies, I know the benefits of these little rags and who knows, maybe I'll keep one in my purse. You never know when one will come in handy. 

9 comments

  1. I love a sweet hankie because yes, you never know and I love the memories of your Daddy they evoke!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My Dad always had a hanky for us too! Great memories! Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. Now this is the first time, I think, that I disagree with Brother Nick. I hear from my sweetie, I lost my Kleenex. I usually say you need to carry a handkerchief and you would not need the 'tissue.' hahaha A handkerchief is like a pocket knife, always there. Smile. Yep this one kicks in memories. I knew they were out dated by women but not men.
    I remember grandma Lloyd had some change tied in the corner of one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. When I was in grade school, I would very proudly iron my Dad's hankies for him ~ thanks for the great memories!

    ReplyDelete
  5. For some reason they've always just grossed me out. I have to say, your sentiments make them more endearing. My parents didn't carry them around but my grandparents did.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have handkerchiefs and often carry them in my back pocket. You can never tell when you might need one.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a sentimental memory Lisa! I remember when I was little seeing my granddaddy with a handkerchief. He had a couple of them if I remember correctly.

    ReplyDelete
  8. My sweetie carries a hankie - I always find it kind of funny and sweet and old fashioned! Plus he irons them!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. My husband always carries a hankie in his pocket.

    ReplyDelete