A Father’s Day Story: Of Dreams Stored in an Attic Trunk

By Richard Mabey Jr.

It was in early June of 2004, that my dad decided to clean out the attic of the old Mabey Homestead. I remember it was a Saturday morning. The events that followed that very fateful day would allow me to see my beloved father, in an entirely different light. For my father had a secret dream, that for whatever reason, he had never even shared with Mom.

So, after breakfast, Dad and I climbed the 15 steps of the old Mabey Homestead, walked down the hallway to the attic door at the end of the hall. I placed the old wooden ladder, that my great grandfather had built, in place. Dad was first to begin the climb up the ladder. I followed.

When we got up to the attic floor, Dad pulled the string that hung in the middle of the attic. It was attached to a single, unshaded, 40-watt lightbulb.

“There that’s better,” I remember my dad saying as the light suddenly lit up the entire attic. Then Dad pointed to the old, wooden, vintage storage trunk that was located in the far, northwest corner of the attic. The trunk had belonged to my great grandmother, Catherine Cavanaugh. She used it to bring all her earthly possessions from Ireland to America, over a hundred years ago.

“I’ve been meaning to go through this old trunk. Every time I would think about it, something would come up. I’m 76 years old now, I think it’s time I’d better clean it out,” Dad quietly and reflectively shared with me. We walked over to the old, antique trunk. Dad opened it up. The hinges squeaked. There, within that trunk were stacks of yellowed, drawing paper. They were tied up by pieces of blue ribbon. Each tied stack had about 50 sheets of drawing paper, neatly stacked.

They were stacks of pencil drawings. Some were of trees and lakes and open fields. There was even a pencil sketch of the old Mabey Homestead. There were also sketches of Mabey Lane, Earl’s Meadow, the old apple tree, and the original old barn that once stood in the backyard of our homestead.

“I used to fiddle around with drawing stuff when I was a kid,” Dad told me. There was a certain sadness in my dear father’s eyes, as together, we looked at the old drawings. After I came home from the war, I did some more drawing. Then your uncle and I started our trucking company, I started dating your Mom. And well, I just gave up on the dream.”

There was such a melancholy sadness that prevailed in my father’s voice as he shared those reflective words with me. For the next few moments, Dad and I just looked at the pencil sketches that he drew as a boy and as a young man. My heart cried for my father.

“Dad, these are good drawings. Really good drawings!” I exclaimed to my father.

“Thank Richie. Just the way life is, son. Not all your dreams come true,” Dad quietly said to me. My father fought hard to hold back his tears.

“Well, we better put these back. We got a lot of stuff up here to go through,” Dad reflectively told me.

I remember my father, took the blue ribbons. He tied up the bundles of pencil sketches. Then gently, with a degree of reverence, placed his drawings in the old trunk. Dad quietly closed the top of the his grandmother’s trunk.

“Well, us standing around this old trunk’s not going to get his attic cleaned out. Come on, Richie, we got a lot of work to do today.”

Dad and I did clean out the attic that fateful June day of 2004. When all the dust was swept from the floor beams of the attic, we climbed down the old wooden ladder. Oddly, Dad never talked about his pencil sketches ever again, in the two more years that God had been given to be alive.

My father was one of the hardest working individuals I have ever known. He worked as a long distance truck driver and would often moonlight as a trucking dispatcher, to earn extra money. Dad served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 170 for 25 years. He was a devoted Christian man, a good father, and an endearing husband to my mom. Richard Mabey Jr. is a freelance writer. He has a YouTube Channel, titled “Richard Mabey Presents.” Richard most recently published a book of his poems and short stories, that is selling rather well. He can be reached at richardmabeyjr@hotmail.com.

$1,300,000

6 THOMPSON COURT, MORRIS TWP.

Hidden Oasis awaits...Spectacular Custom Home nestled on beautiful wooded property w/ cul-de-sac location in the Spring Brook Neighborhood! Magni cent Blue Stone walkways & outdoor patio invite all inside to see this open oor plan, soaring ceilings, naturally lit & plenty of room to enjoy! Main level boasts double sided replace, updated gourmet kitchen feat 6 burner Viking S/S cooktop, Bosch Dishwasher, wine refrig.& Pro-Line Series Kitchen Aid refrigerator. Main oor of ce w/ built-ins, full bath, laundry & mud room too! Second level features four well appointed bedrms. Fourth Bedrm can be used as nursery or sitting rm off of Primary bedrm w/ balcony overlooking the great outdoors! Primary bath is State of the Art...Venetian plaster walls, Ridgelight Countertops, heated oors, Phillipe-Starck soak tub, Hansgrohe xtures, Toto toilet, Kohler sinks & custom tiled shower under large skylight! Fin walk out lower level offers large rec rm space, large closets, full bath, fth bedrm, exercise rm, plenty of storage & so much more! Other features included w/this home..Kohler Full House Nat. Gas Generator, wrap around deck, fenced in yard area, motion sensored exterior lighting around, Elfa Closet organizers, Tung & groove wood oors, access to Morris Twp walking path thru woods at end of cul-de-sac. Springbrook Country Club - Membership Required - enjoy Clubhouse, Golf, Tennis, Paddle, Pickle Ball & Events throughout the year! Do not miss this true “Staycation” Home!

$650,000

16 ALPINE DRIVE, RANDOLPH

FANTASTIC move in ready 4 bedroom, 3.1 bath Colonial home situated on 1.4 secluded acres on cul-de-sac street that backs up to the beautiful Loantaka Park! This prime location has easy access to the park and is convenient to major highways & downtown Morristown while still enjoying country living. So much has been done to this well cared for home - see attached Feature Sheet! Exterior updates would include replacing of wood trim & sills, newer Amaar Stratford raised panel garage doors, front walkway, small patio in back, new alum. gutters, shutters, chimney caps installed & more! Circular driveway invites all & has magni cent curb appeal! Main oor boasts custom built full wall bookshelf w/ a sliding ladder & replace in living room. Large front to back family rm w/ 2nd replace (wood burning) Beautiful kitchen w/ 2021/2022 KitchenAid appliances & door to fantastic deck overlooking private backyard paradise! Do not miss the garden on side of home! Formal dining rm, powder rm & fantastic laundry rm w/ new ooring & cabinetry complete the main level. Four well appointed bedrms on 2nd level. Primary bedrm offers large walk in closet & en suite bath w/ jet tub & sep. stall shower. Finished lower level boasts full bath, media rm, exercise rm, of ce, utility/storage & custom wine closet! The property is beautiful and offers apple & plum trees behind swingset! This home is an absolute must see & do not miss! (Free, full day & bus pick up for Prek3 & Prek4 @Lafayette Learning)

Do not miss this one....fantastic & completely redone inside! Step inside to be greeted by soaring high ceilings in the living room open to the expanded & large eat in kitchen w/ center island & doors to expansive outdoor deck! Three well appointed bedrooms on the rst level as well. Primary bedroom offers a walk in closet w/ sliding barn door, second closet & private new bath w/ stall shower! Main bath in hall is also new & features double sink vanity & tub/shower. Ground oor boasts the fourth bedroom, large family room, laundry rm, two car attach garage & newer sliding glass door to a fabulous patio w/ hot tub overlooking wooded privacy in back! Basement level features a fantastic rec room space & storage closet! Other features include at & level property, newer windows in front of home, furnace, air-conditioner, hot water heater, front steps w/ new pavers in walkway, seal coated driveway, public utilities, cul-de-sac location, eastern location, all public utilities & easy eastern commuting location! Minutes to downtown Morristown w/ direct train to NYC! Have to love the privacy in backyard w/ wooded lot behind!