a smaller sticker, a big memory

A Red Sunn Mustang Guitar, set against a backdrop of photos celebrating her father’s life.

When I was little, Dad would play this Red Sunn Mustang guitar. I had a numberjack sticker set at the time, and one day I got up and stuck one on his guitar.

Instead of peeling it off he kept it there, even though it looked completely out of place on an adults guitar.

The guitar makes me feel grateful, nostalgic and melancholy, it’s a sweet memory. The fact he kept that sticker on there makes me happy, and we reminisced about it not long before he died.

I often remember Dad playing that guitar. It wasn’t his favourite but it’s the one I think of when I think of him. Now he’s not here, it holds just as much sentimental value as any of his others and perhaps more.

Looking at it brings back my Dad; his talents, his quirks and all the little moments that have stayed with me. I didn’t realise how much it meant until my childhood days began to feel distant and memories of Dad being well became scarce. Now I look at it everyday.