I am thinking about my Dad on Memorial Day. Knowing if he were here he would be camped out on the lawn chair in back, watching Chris barbecue ribs, sipping on a bourbon and orange juice, telling us a tale of some adventure in Brazil or maybe on Big Sheep mountain, or about when he was traveling in his younger days playing baseball. It's just as likely he would just sit. Enjoying the breeze while imagining his next road trip.
Dad liked to get in the car and head out on the open road. With a destination in mind, but open to the possibility of a sudden change in plans. Dottie and Mary Ann take after him in that arena. I am exactly like him in that when he was hitting the road he liked to leave early. Super early. Like 4 in the morning. With a thermos of coffee in tow. After watching the sun rise, maybe a stop for breakfast. At a truck stop, with grits on the menu.
My older self would love to have a conversation with him now. We would forgo all the stuff about things we wish we would have done differently. Instead he could tell me more stories about when he was a kid growing up, we'd talk about how great the grand kids are, and discuss if we should head east or west when we hit the road in the morning.
A lovely tribute to your father.
Posted by: Caroline | 05/29/2017 at 07:10 PM
Wonderful Carol! Perfect in fact! ;o)
Posted by: jacki long | 05/29/2017 at 11:08 PM
We knew the guy Angie picked had to have been pretty awesome. This is lovely.
Posted by: Chris | 05/30/2017 at 08:05 AM
A reflection on what "our older self" would engage in conversion with our parents is
so intriguing.
How "wise" we become, if only we had that realization "in the moment".
Nevertheless, thank you Carol for pushing that button for me. I am off to imagine just
such a conversation with a long gone loved one.
Posted by: Barbara Tarbox | 05/30/2017 at 09:00 AM
Aw, such a great post, along with the many other great posts of late! You're awesome. Love to Angie and your Daddy-o. xo
Posted by: Liz | 05/30/2017 at 09:09 PM
You girls and brother had a wonderful relationship with your parents. I'm so envious.
I'm a happy wanderer when hitting the road, love to go on all the back roads, thru the neighborhoods of towns I've never visited before. Like to leave at the crack of dawn too. Don't care which direction, just go. I was lucky enough to travel Rte. 66 in the days before Xpressways, before everything was paved over. Towns along the road each had a different flavor, color, taste, how I loved it.
Posted by: Joan | 06/01/2017 at 04:05 PM
hello dear dad.
swing by and pick me up!
i promise i will not touch the temperature controls or the radio.
PROMISE.
xoxoxoxo
Posted by: sister!! | 06/04/2017 at 07:46 PM