A Fond Memory With My Father
After Mom died, Dad and I took a trip together every summer. Just the two of us, father and daughter. This was especially meaningful because Dad was aging and we lived 2000 miles apart so a week with Dad, undistracted from other family members or from work was a treat.
Our first destination was a cruise up the Mississippi. We boarded the steamboat in St. Louis and noticed that we were one of the youngest people on the cruise! Even Dad, at 73 looked young! We sat in rocking chairs on the deck, the warm breeze blowing on our faces, admiring the lush green trees lining the mighty river. A jazz band played in the background.
On the deck we met John, who went to a singles dance for senior citizens at his local church, met his wife, and asked her to marry him two weeks later. It’s John’s first marriage at 65. Then there was Jane, a teacher from Little Rock, Arkansas who danced with Bill Clinton decades ago at a school fundraiser. Sometimes on the deck Dad and I sat quietly, reading.
At lunchtime we stood in line for the buffet. People asked if Dad was my brother! Amazing for our 38 year age difference! Dad filled his plate with bread, meats, and cheeses to make a sandwich. The most important ingredient to any sandwich was mayonnaise. Dad loved mayonnaise! Anything else between two pieces of bread was extra fillings.
After lunch we docked at Alton Missouri. This small town was home to dozens and dozens of antique shops. Dad, with little interest in shopping or antiques (although he’s almost an antique himself) walked and walked in and out of shop after shop. We walked up the hill, down the hill, and through the old town. We walked all day. It was the longest time I ever spent shopping with Dad. He was a good sport to come along, simply to spend time with me.
Each day blended together like the last, until seven days passed. On the seventh day we reached Minnesota, the top of the Mississippi, and my home, Minneapolis. Dad saw my house for the first time and met my two cats, Coconut and Coffee Bean. Coconut sat on his lap and purred. The two became quick friends.
This was the first of many trips together, and our last. Dad died a few months later from being hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street in his home town of Sacramento California. What made this trip special was our time together, the two of us. I had grown from the teenager embarrassed to be with Dad to the adult cherishing the time together. It was the beginning of a yearly tradition that ended shortly after it began. This Fathers Day I will celebrate by cherishing warm memories, remembering Dad, and being proud of who I have become.
In honor of my father,
Deborah, editor of Little Love Tales
Hello webmaster…Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts ! it was a great Wednesday
Very nicely said.I noticed your post from Yahoo and thought it rocked. Have you been writing for long?Just the other day I recently created a blog myself and its been a really fun process. I’ve met some interesting people since then but it is tough sometimes! Once more, many thanks for your blog post!
Interesting article and thanks you for posting this post.
This is certainly my primary visit and I adore what I’m seeing. Your blog page is indeed great to go through, really engaging as well as useful. I’ll definitely recommend it to my pals. However, I did have some trouble with commenting. It kept giving me an error when I clicked on publish comment. I hope, that can be fixed. Cheers!
Rather wonderful article, very informative information. Never thought I would find the tips I want right here. I’ve been looking everywhere in the internet for a while now and was starting to get discouraged. Thankfully, I came across your blog and received precisely what I had been searching for.
I’m so glad to have found your web page. My pal mentioned it to me before, yet never got around to checking it out until now. I must express, I’m floored. I really enjoyed reading through your posts and will absolutely be back to get more.
Hello webmaster I like your post ….
thanks !! very helpful post!
I Like this site your article is very nice , Thanks, very interesting article, keep up it coming
Extremely interesting blog post thanks for writing it I just added your site to my favorites and will check back
By the way this is off subject but I really like your sites layout.
Hey – nice blog, just looking around some blogs, seems a pretty nice platform you are using. I’m currently using WordPress
Great article. Im planning on something similar this summer and this helped with my decision.
Nice post thank you.
Hey, thanks for that terrific write-up. Honestly, about three months back I started taking reading blogs and there is certainly just a lot junk on the market. I enjoy that you just place wonderful written content out that may be clear and well-written. Fantastic luck and thanks for that great posting!
Sweet blog!
Great blog! A pleasure to read.
Great blog! A pleasure to read.
What words… super, a magnificent idea