Skippack
Tags
Related Posts
Share This
Gift for Dad
The Skippack Blogger's Dad (AKA Bernie Shaw) still looking good and going strong at 89. Happy Birthday, man.
When it comes to gifts, we may say that it is the thought that counts, but the truth is we want the object given to be meaningful. Yesterday was the a special day for someone very special in the life of the Skippack Blogger, my Dad turned 89. Happy Birthday, Bernie Shaw. But what gift could I give to commemorate the occasion?
What gift is worthy for a man who grew up in the Great Depression, served during World War II, married my wonderful mom, became dad to me and my brother and sister, taught me about the world, taught me to love jazz music, paid my college tuition bill, was so proud of the accomplishments of his children, lectured me, taught me right from wrong, discussed intimate aspects of being a man, helped me during the troubled times of my life, and still makes me laugh? (I am probably leaving a lot of things out.) A tall order for an object in a wrapped box — to express my feelings for Dad.
As happens in life, the first path I choose is not the correct one. I go to a nearby mall and purchase a Ralph Lauren Polo sports shirt. But something inside me is dissatisfied. It seemed so impersonal. A voice inside me is telling me to find something. What is it I need to find? The receipt. This first attempt-at-a-gift is getting returned.
Then I remembered a wonderful gift Debby gave me a couple months ago for our fifth wedding anniversary — a collectible pen purchased at Sharp Unique Gifts for Men, a Skippack shop specializing in fine and unusual gifts for men. A collectible pen is the perfect gift for me and perfect for Dad as well.
My Dad is a practical guy and so the next part of the story is practical; turning an idea into action. Debby and I head into Skippack Village and visit Jack Berk, shop owner at Sharp Unique Gifts for Men, and begin browsing his collection of beautiful and unusual collectible gift pens. Buying from Jack is like visiting a friend. Now it is starting to feel right.
Jack Berk, owner of Sharp Unique Gifts for Men in Skippack, helps me select a pen for my dad's 89th Birthday.
One reason a pen is the right thing: Dad always encouraged my writing. I remember the first time I got paid for my writing; a free lance article for Baltimore Magazine. He wanted to have the check framed. But which pen best expresses my thoughts and feelings for Dad? He is a down-to-earth, working guy. For many years, he put on a business suit everyday. He managed a car dealership for most of his career. However, Dad has an exceptional, even astounding, appreciation for the creative and the contemporary. Even when we were little kids, he and my mom would take us on trips to the art museum to see works by modern artists.
I am looking for a pen that expresses my father’s love for creativity and modern art; something unusual and youthful, because my Dad makes 89 seem still young. I select a roller ball pen with a bright, multi-colored, almost cubistic design by Thom Reaves, an artist and designer from Trenton, NJ, manufactured by Acme Studio, an international product design company and creator of fine writing tools. This pen is called “Happy” which fits because my Dad is an upbeat guy with a terrific outlook on life.
Which one is right for Dad? A selection of gift pens from Sharp Unique Gifts for Men.
The story ends with my father surrounded by the family he loves, singing happy birthday, the gift bag handed to him, with a card and a happy birthday kiss. Eighty-nine years so far and still going strong. Fifty seven of those years married to my amazing and lovely mom.
Many years ago, I left my parent’s home. I did not find another home until I married Debby and we bought our home in Skippack. In between, was a time of wandering in the desert, a time of struggle and searching. But I always had a great friend to look up to and who, by his example, stopped me from getting too lost: Dad.
About Sharp Unique Gifts for Men
Located in Skippack Village, this boutique men’s gift shop offers fine items such as shaving accessories; cufflinks; desk accessories; gifts for the beer and wine connoisseur; hi-tech flashlights; hand-made knives from world-renowned knife makers and much more. Gifts for all types of men: The corporate executive, the rugged outdoorsman, the retired hobbyist, the eager young man beginning his journey through life, the writer who loves beautiful pens, and the man celebrating 89 good years on this earth.
Sharp Unique Gifts for Men
4002 Skippack Pike
Skippack PA 19474
Phone: 610.584.1818
www.sharpuniquegifts.com
Like Sharp Unique Gifts for Men on Facebook
The Final Choice
(Scroll down)
"Happy," a roller ball pen designed by Thom Reaves for Acme Studio.
Enjoying time with Dad in a Starbucks in the town where my parents live.
Michael, What a great reminder that taking the time to pick out a gift for someone you love shouldn’t just be about the practical, what do they need, but a meaningful journey of finding something that is a reminder of what that person has meant to you over the years. We all should take the time to “really” pick out gifts instead of rushing through the process. It is about more than just the object. Maybe the malls are for objects but Skippack is for meaningful gifts. Oh yeah and Happy Birthday Mr. Bernie Shaw!
@Brad Thanks, Bro!
@Michael Shaw Your welcome. BTW you should change the weblink attached to your WP profile and picture. It points to an unrelated loveskippack.com (without the i) website…quick help from your neighborhood web guy
Dear Blogger Michael
Only you could capture in such eloquent language what a great guy our Dad is! He loved the pen, for I could tell as he was so excited to talk about it with us. Thanks for giving our Dad, our hero, a special birthday.
@Carrie Shaw Subedi Carrie: Thanks for posting your first comment. Great comment I might add. I hope there will be more to follow. Looking forward to more good times together. Love, Michael.
Michael, I just read this article. You write with such heart and love towards your father. I’m sure that this article is more valuable a gift to your dad than the pen that you bought him. Although the pen is really a cool looking pen. It’s fun and classy at the same time. You truly are blessed to not only have such a great father, but to have such a great community to live in as well. If you have time maybe you can give me a tour of all the great shops in skippack one day.
@Shaya Rabbi Shaya thanks for your beautiful comment. It would be an honor to give you a tour of Skippack. My dad loved the pen but the thing that made him even happier was when I brought home Debby. You and Devorah had no small part in that.
Michael,
Thank you so much for your post. I am so glad that you liked the pen (and even more so that your dad liked it). I’m glad that something I put my hand to can has had a positive effect on someone else’s life. Your comment and mention of my work really started off my day ‘happy’. Thank you. Give your dad a Happy 89th from me.
Thom Reaves
Artist, Designer, Thom Reaves Art Studio
Cell (609)610-5123
thomreaves@yahoo. com
http://www.thomreaves. com
http://www.thom-reaves. blogspot. com
204 Second Street #1, Trenton, NJ 08611
http://twitter. com/thomreaves
http://www.facebook. com/thomreavesartstudio
Wonderful blog post, Michael and a great shop, too. I remebered liking Sharp when I visited Skippack and thinking it would be a great place to get a gift for my father-in-law. Happy Belated Birthday to your dad, too.
@Marc Lombardi Thanks for the great comment Marc. Sharp Unique Gifts is a wonderful store and owners Jack and Eileen are great people. By the way, Debby also gave me a pen from Sharp with comic book-style artwork (not a famous brand character but in that style) which I think you would appreciate. Readers: Check out Marc’s blog Suburban Geek:
http://marclombardi.wordpress.com/