by Fran Mascioli

Created on: March 26, 2010   Last Updated: March 22, 2011

The sleek, silver pen was used to sign for one last package at the busy law firm.  It was then packed carefully in a box with several other items.  That faithful old pen was retired today. For decades it stood in an engraved silver holder on a desk in the legal office.

It was used daily and many times needed to be refilled.  That pen was held in the hands of several prominent people in town as they signed important documents. The wealthiest man in town signed his Last Will and Testament with that dependable writing instrument back in 1980. And just last week, a young woman holding her three-year-old son and a tissue tearfully signed her divorce papers.

It often traveled from hand to hand as it was used to edit rough drafts.  Real estate agreements were initialed and signed.  Many times custody arrangements were mediated and notarized. Over the course of thirty  years, several adoptions made families complete. That pen was always available for use to seal those deals.

Driving directions were hand-written for lost drivers arriving at the office lobby. Post-it notes were written to remind key staff members of meetings and deadlines. Courier packages were signed for, and supply deliveries carefully checked off for accuracy. All this was performed with the use of that helpful pen. Attorneys borrowed it as they wrote down the name of associates to give to friends and clients as they walked past the secretary’s desk. It was handed down to groups of individuals one-by-one as the legal witnesses, the clients and the notary provided their necessary signatures. New homes were mortgaged and the final checks signed. Memories were made and final resting places decided on . . . hand stamped and hand signed, written with the tool designed to last for years and years.

Needless to say, that old Parker has its place in history.  But, probably the sweetest memories created by that hard working tool were the hand written compliments left by grateful clients for assistance provided.

Today, this gift of many years ago (given for a special accomplishment), found a new home on the kitchen counter top next to the phone charger and note pad. Instead of a constant barrage of legal documents needing signatures, it will be used for occasional shopping lists, Honey-dos and Medicare forms. It will not be used nearly as often and may not need to be refilled for quite a while. It will simply remind me of a different time and a completely different way of life, in another setting.

This afternoon that pen will be used to write several Thank You cards for a beautiful gold watch and several other thoughtful gifts given to me, a fellow retiree.

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