Elephants

My father collects elephants.

On top of the bookcases in his living room is a row of carved elephants marching, in single-file.

I was nine when he bought the first elephant that I remember. It is a large, teak statue and it is still a piece of beauty. I remember listening to him discuss it with my mom in the Field Museum’s gift shop and, then, riding home with it in the back seat of our gold station wagon, excited about our first major art purchase.

Since then, I have always associated elephants with my dad. They are intelligent and strong, characteristics which I assumed resonated with him and led to his collection. These characteristics have led me to think of my dad when I see an elephant and to try to contribute to my dad’s collection during my travels, most recently adding a carved, jade elephant pendant from Thailand.

I am like my father in many ways. We share similar interests and similar hobbies. Now, we share a similar collection. Elephants.

In the last week I have received two elephant-inspired gifts from students.

One student made herself a Dumbo teapot in her pottery class. She then made me the elephant on the left. I am touched. And grateful. She has no idea of the meaning of an elephant for me; she was being generous. It sits on my desk at school and I smile every time I see it.

Today, I received a candle from a former student who just returned from a gap year in India.

This candle, when lit up, displays elephants marching in a circle. This reminds me of my dad’s collection and of my dad.

Strength and intelligence.

These elephants join the one made out of aluminum cans that sits on my window ledge at home and that I received from students years ago after a trip to the Field Museum.

I collect elephants.