When my Dad retired in his mid-40’s, he received a mantle clock with a gold plate inscribed with his name, Jerry D. Oellrich, and the quote, “In Appreciation of Twenty-Five Years of Loyal and Valued Service to the Cargill Companies,” signed by the company president. This treasured keepsake sat on top of the living room television in the farmhouse I grew up in. He worked many long hours at Cargill working his way through the union ranks as a maintenance man and electrician to ultimately become a plant maintenance supervisor. I looked up to my Dad.
In my freshman college composition class I was assigned to write a paper about whom I admired most. I wrote about my Dad. He was a hard worker and came from very meager means. He was from a large, close family and he left high school before graduating to begin working full-time in a factory. My Dad and Mom married and raised seven children together; all of them girls except the youngest. He was also a farmer. In my opinion, he had accomplished a lot with very little except hard work and determination.
In October 2013, while visiting him in hospice, my Dad (age 80) told me he wanted me to have his beloved mantle clock. He apologized that it wasn’t working and needed to be fixed. He said he thought one of us kids had overwound it years ago. I was honored by his gift but told him I wanted him to hang on to it and I would gratefully receive it upon his passing. In December of that same year, I brought it home to sit honorably, but silently, on my bookshelf next to the fireplace.
About a year later, I took the clock to a repair shop in Ft. Collins. I was told the “insides” would have to be replaced at a cost of about $450. I decided to take the clock back home unrepaired and once again it took its place on the shelf.
About two months ago, I happened to be in King’s Clocks in Greeley, with a friend. I told the owners about my inheritance and they said they would be glad to take a look. I later took it in and lovingly placed it on their counter. Charles, the owner and repairman, opened the back of the clock. He put one drop of oil on one of the moving parts. It came to life! Through my tears, I told Charles the story about the Ft. Collins repair shop and how grateful I was for him. Charles kept the clock these past two months to clean and repair any broken parts. Last week I received a call that it was ready for me to pick up. The cost: $85.
That beautiful, old mantel clock now sits prominently on my bookshelf making a gentle ticking sound. It marks the time each half hour by chiming a soft “ding.” On each hour it comes alive to mark the time and to chime, but it also reminds me of my Dad with each note. What a beautiful and loving gift that clock is to me, as was my Dad.
