Staying Up Late

Grandpa Tolley worked late when we were little, and most nights we had to be in bed before he got home.  I guess Grandma and Grandpa had decided that all of us being up late would not be the quality time we all wanted, so every night, one of us would get to stay up late to spend some time with Grandpa while everyone else went to bed.  It was so cool to be up alone with the adults, like you were one of them and not one of the jealous others, trying to get to stay up late, too.

I don't know long we did this, but one night in particular stands out for me. It was the night that Grandpa Tolley taught me how to tell time. 

Now, I was pretty little, maybe first grade? Definitely before second grade, because we all got watches for first communion and we could all tell time. On a side note, When Uncle Jim made his first communion, he was chosen to go down the aisle and shake hands with everyone during the sign of peace. He was so proud of his new watch that he pushed back the jacket sleeve on his hand shaking arm so that the handshakers could admire and or perhaps comment on his new watch.

Anyways, on my big night with Grandpa, he took me to his workbench in the basement. I always loved that big black workbench because it had like a million drawers full of all kinds of stuff. With the help of a paper plate and a fastener that came out of that workbench,  Grandpa had made me a clock with arms that moved. I was so impressed that my Dad made this and it wasn't just a drawing. I was convinced that he could build anything, like houses and spaceships and stuff. And it was because he had all kinds of  nails and screws, and he knew where to find them.

Grandpa then showed me how to tell time. It was easy because the arms on the clock moved. He must have done a good job, because I've never had any problems reading a clock since then. 

I don't remember staying up late any other night. What I do remember is my Dad being awesome.