Every once in a while, the urge strikes me to write. It doesn't matter so much what I write at these times, just that I'm writing something... which really makes no sense to me. Anyway... I could write about how hot it was today, hour many hours I've been working, and how I nearly passed out in the heat today around 3 pm... but instead I'm thinking of this weekend.
I'm taking my dad, who is 79, to a family reunion. My family lives a long time, so most of my dad's 11 brothers and sisters will be there, including his two older sisters well into their 80's. I love visiting my dad's side of the family. We get together, and it's like one big family, no fighting, no drama, just like a bunch of old friends getting together. I love it. Most of all, I love hearing the stories my aunts and uncles tell of when they were kids, I love imaging my dad and his brothers and sisters getting into trouble for doing the same things I got in trouble for. It's great being around them, because they're the kind people who just make you feel good. Which really makes sense that the most popular job in my dad's family is nursing. I think at least 40% or 50% of them are nurses of some kind or another. And I never thought about it making sense until now.
Anyway, I'm glad to be taking my dad up there (Illinois). He doesn't like to travel anymore, but I know he'll be so pleased he went. It's so much trouble to travel so far, especially when you're old, but traveling always seems worth it after you get to your destination. Actually, it seems like it's usually worth it as soon as your done preparing to travel. That's the worst part, somehow full of both stress and excitement. Hopefully the excitement comes and you start traveling before the stress of it gets to you. Back to subject though, I'm looking forward to spending this time with my dad. We've had great conversations on long car rides before, but haven't been on a car ride together since... bwah... I don't know when. Maybe nearly 10 years? Wow. But, still I'm looking forward to it.
Hmmm, now I'm remembering one time at home. I don't remember if he and I were the only ones at home because we had been traveling, or if there was another reason my mom and little brother weren't at home. In any case, it was late, and I should have been in bed already, but I said I wanted a snack... which I think is kid-speak for "I really don't want to go to bed yet"... but my dad played along. We stared inside the refrigerator for a long time, and finally decided to eat the hard boiled eggs. I think I must have been about 8 years old. Dad had a few, and I had, well, I guess about 5... but it seemed like a dozen. I didn't really like the eggs so much, I just liked peeling them, and I enjoyed the time with dad. He wasn't tired that night, and he didn't have other things he needed to do, we just sat in the kitchen and peeled and ate eggs, and talked. I don't even remember what about. They weren't the normal questions you ask children to get them to talk, and then tell them how nice whatever they're talking about is. My dad asked me what I thought about things... and then he listened. Not in a cute way, waiting for me to say funny things, he listened and cared. He didn't tell me I was wrong when I was wrong about something, he just let me have my opinion, and he explained his opinion. He never told me why he was right, or that he was right, I just always assumed he was, because what he said made so much sense. It was a great time, anytime I could talk with my dad. He listened. How many adults really listen to what kids are saying? How many sit and have a conversation with kids? I sat, and peeled eggs, and ate them (after I tried giving them to dad), not because I liked them, but because I was enjoying the time. He never sent me to bed, he just waited for me to get tired, which was usually around the time I should have gone to be anyway, and then put me to bed. I may have stayed up an extra 15 minutes, but I felt like I had really gotten away with something. My dad was a great parent... I should spend more time thinking about how he raised me, so I can remember how to raise kids if and when I have children.
Also, I really like these old memories... I wonder if I am turning into an old, reminiscing man before my time?
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