“Duct Tape to the Rescue” by Joan Y. Edwards
During the year before my late husband, Carl Edwards died, he alerted me of a special relationship he had with duct tape.
One day Carl fell in the garage, I heard him call me and went to see what had happened. I helped him up. He had a boo-boo on his arm. When we went to the bathroom to bandage it up, I reached for a bandaid to put on it. He said, “No, don’t put a bandaid on it. Bandaids come off. Use this duct tape on it.”
I looked at him. And I looked at the duct tape. I cringed and said, “But, Carl, won’t it hurt when you pull the duct tape off?” I had visions of the duct tape pulling his skin off with it when he went to remove it.
Carl looked at me and said, “Bandaids come off. Use the duct tape.”
So I used the duct tape. This time and other times. His same reply, “Use the duct tape.”
About a month after Carl died, (May God rest his soul), I went through his personal belongings including his wallets. He had one new wallet and one old wallet. When I opened the new wallet, his drivers license and credit cards and stuff didn’t draw my attention. However, when I opened his old wallet. It had an old driver’s license, a few business cards, positive thinking quotes, and above all else at the back, a tattered compartment with duct tape to hold it together. I smiled. Even in his death, Carl could make me smile. Duct tape to his rescue! For Christmas gifts that year, I gave everyone in the family and our neighbors a roll of silver duct tape in memory of Carl.
Fast forward to a week before the third anniversary of Carl’s passing, August 31, 2023. I went through a few boxes finding things to share with his family and to decide which things to keep for me as a memory of Carl. Inside a box I found an old calculator and a new calculator. And ah, you guessed it. The old calculator was held together with duct tape. Duct tape to the rescue! Again, Carl had made me smile even though he was in heaven. It helped turn a moment of sadness into the joy of remembering how much he chose to make things last. Like love and fun!
I share this story with you in hopes of helping you to know it’s okay to cry when you miss a loved one who has passed away, but more importantly it is life-giving to you to smile when you remember them. Thank God for the time you got to spend with them. Use duct tape to paste the memories that make you smile at the top of your mind today. Let duct tape come to your rescue!
Please share a memory of a deceased loved one that makes you smile.
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Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
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I’ve used duct tape over a gauze pad on blisters since flexing my foot loosens the bandaids, which creates more blisters.
I have a roll of bright red duct tape, which makes quite the fashion statement.
I’ve used this miracle tape on my heels, the top of my foot … any place my footwear tends to cause a blister. I’ve even used it to repair the bottom of a canvas bag.
Dear Melanie,
Thank you for sharing that you also are a fan of using duct tape or many bandaging occasions.. So cool that the bright red duct tape is a fashion statement for you!
May today bring you smiles!
Never give up.
Joan.
Beautiful reminder how seemingly everyday items can bring back loving memories. I really enjoyed this piece, ❤️
Dear Joan Reid,
Thank you for writing! It makes me smike yo know you really enjoyed this post. I am glad that it reminded you that everyday things can bring back loving memories.
May you have many wonderful memories of those who are strolling the heavenly spaces and make wonderful
Memories with those here with you.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Beautiful and inspiring as usual. Thanks for making me smile 😃 along with you and Carl. I’ll think of you both the next time I use Duck Tape.
Hugs
Dear Sandra,
It is good to hear from you. I am glad this post along with Carl and me made you smile. That makes me smile. Please share any fun adventures you have with duct tape or other things that help stick fun memories to your mind!.
Never Give Up
Joan
Use the duct tape to paste your memories…that’s so beautiful!
Dear Carol,
I love hearing from you. I am glad that you think “Use the duct tape to paste your memories” is beautiful! You are kind to me. You make me smile. Thank you.
Never Give Up
Joan
Dear Joan,
Thank you for sharing your story. I never realized the verstality of duct tape, It goes beyond just using it to fix things.
I really enjoyed reading and I know you enjoyed writing it.
Dear June,
It is so good to hear from you. Thank you for writing. You are welcome for my sharing my story about Duct Tape. I am glad you enjoyed reading about Carl and me and his duct tape. I hope you are doing well.
Sincerely,
Never Give Up
Joan
Dear Joan,
I, too, love the poignancy you have stuck to duck tape. Thanks for giving me something new to smile about.
Dear Barbara,
It is really good to hear from you! I am glad you love the poignancy I have stuck to duct tape. So happy the duct tape adventures made you smile.
Never Give Up
Joan