Dad’s Prized Lighter Collection
Thanks to increased pressure from friends and family, my father quit smoking five years ago. Prior to that, he would go through a pack and a half of cigarettes a day. To be honest, I’m not even sure if the health risks were the factor that finally convinced him to break the habit. The financial strain made a serious impact as well. Despite his healthy new lifestyle choices, Dad does uphold one tradition that started during his old smoking days.
His collection of novelty lighters continues to grow because relatives, friends and acquaintances continue to send them to him. Last year when my brother went to Barbados he shipped Dad an empty keepsake lighter with scantily clad women on the side. I added my own contribution to the collection when I was perusing a Web site and found a lighter shaped like a gun.