One sock on

I sleep with my socks on. It reminds me of the time we visited Dodge City Kansas when I was in 3rd grade. At the cowboy grave yard, it was implicitly explained that every gunslinger was buried with their boots on. I couldn't figure out if that meant they were going to rematerialize and start a flurry of bullets around my head or that they had a happy shooting range in heaven. Nowadays,  I wonder if they just had cold feet like me. Anyways,  that was one memorable trip! My dad had turned a school bus into a motor home and painted a dragon on the side. He aptly named it the "gross dragon" and loaded his 6 kids and his best friends family up for a 21 state tour. There were some perks to having a Mormon hippie dad with ADD. I have seen all but 8 states, even if it was in the belly of a colorful purple bus dragon.
Two days ago was my dad's birthday.  It took me a couple of days to call him. I was practicing up. My dad was a colorful character,  but he was never big on the affection poll. I can only remember one time in my life he has said the words, "I love you". It was after I had spent a summer abroad as an exchange student. I think he was most proud of me then! Why all the trouble for the good grades and extracurriculars? I could have just traveled the globe to win his approval? He met me at the airport and wrapped me in a bear hug and said not only that he loved me,  but he was proud of me. Bonus!
I finally call him from work yesterday a day late. I talk to my mom first, which is customary. She is the intermediary of the moods. I tell her to tell dad that I called to wish him a happy birthday. She says, "I think today is a good day. Why don't you tell him yourself?" Suddenly, I am nervous. Why am I nervous? This is my dad the bus-driver. Sure he was grouchy a lot, but he is my dad and he is getting old, just like me. I hear a voice on the line. It doesn't sound as strong as it once did. "Coley, Is that you?" "Yeah, "I say. "How was the big birthday?" It's funny...I should remember the conversation.  I'm sure it had something to do with cars,  his favorite subject, but my mind has blocked out all but a couple of words he suddenly decided to utter. "Coley, I love you. You know I am very proud of you too. " Just like that! No airport, no travel abroad involved, just THAT! I was stunned and got a little teary.  " I love you too dad".

Comments

  1. UnknownJune 21, 2012 at 5:36 AM

    Luckeee!

    ReplyDelete
  2. THE SPECTRUM SPECTACLEJune 21, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    So sweet! My dad's birthday was yesterday and I still haven't called him. But I did call him on Father's Day! I bet your dad and mine would really get along well. I love the image of the Goodwin's in a hippie bus. Makes me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  3. coleybudgeJune 21, 2012 at 7:36 AM

    Val,
    I bet if dad would have met you at the airport after Tel Aviv, you would have got the bear hug!
    Steph, our dad's are both geminis? They would get a long well!!!He!He!

    ReplyDelete

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