I’m heading to Europe today, Father’s Day. It’s a Father’s Day like none other I’ve had. I’m traveling with one of my David friends and his wife, Anne. Ruth and I had agreed to make the same trip with them two summers ago. We agreed on a Saturday and the following Tuesday Ruth had a heart attack, crashed her car, and was killed. In the end no one took the trip. That’s been rumbling around in my brain ever since I agreed to go this summer.
I’ve never been to Europe. My travels outside of the country includes Canada, Mexico, and the Carribean but that’s it. Ruth went to Europe three times. David, Elizabeth and Michael have all gone. Every one of their trips was successful, so I have nothing to fear. While it will be an emotional journey, I’m sure everything will be fine.
We’re flying from Tampa to London, so I’ve been in Florida for the past couple of days. I have few warm clothes in Florida, so I brought several long sleeve shirts and a heavier jacket down from Michigan. I’ll be gone fifteen days, and I need to pack accordingly. I’ve got a half dozen pair of slacks, a dozen long sleeve shirts and a few short sleeves. My normal life requires that I wear a long sleeve shirt about once a year, and I double think that every time I do.
My challenge is how many pair of underwear do I bring? Ruth would insist on the full-Monti … fifteen pair, but I’m thinking who’s gonna know? And then there’s socks. I think a little air dry would be good, and if that works for socks, why not my skivvies? In the end, I’m gonna do what I’m gonna do and no one will be the wiser. It’s just me and my conscience.
When David, Elizabeth and Michael were young, they presented me with wonderful gifts each Father’s Day. They made some, bought some, and Ruth helped some. Each was thoughtful and well received. I valued the personalized messages that they wrote. Ruth didn’t help with that. I’ve saved all the homemade cards and personalized books they’ve given me over the years. I read some before I headed to Florida. I have a set of shelves in my Michigan office that has pictures and books from the kids. They bought me a “World’s Greatest Dad” trophy one year. I display it proudly.
Of all the titles I’ve had over the years: student, teacher, principal, superintendent, coach, mentor, counselor, friend, confidant, partner, brother, and even son, my favorite is father. Husband and Dad are tied with father and just slightly ahead of grandfather. Father-in-law is close behind.
On this Father’s Day, I want to thank Ruth, David, Elizabeth, Michael, Brady, Eva, Young Jackson James,
Lindsay, Kate and Sutton for being the most important people in my life. LYTTMAB
You are blessed Bon Voyage
I am sure they feel equally as lucky to have you! I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Have fun!! But, take only half of what you packed. Some hotels in Europe are small and not much room for a big suitcase. You can send out laundry as an alternative. No matter what suitcase you bring, have a wonderful trip!! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Have a wonderful trip!
I’ve always contended that my “father’s day” was March 13, 1976. That was the day our first child, John, was born. I will never forget that day and I’m sure you will always remember the day David was born. Because they live with their children for nine months before they are born, I always felt a woman becomes a mom a little bit at a time. But fatherhood is instant. It takes a while to get used to it. But nothing is better.
Whether you’ll be reading this at an airport somewhere, in flight, or after you get back to Michigan or Florida, I just wanted to thank you for this post. My dad died 25 years ago on Father’s Day. I often say it was just his way of saying, “I did my best, now it’s up to you . . . ” Your blog helped me handle a strange day of mixed-emotions. Have a great trip, Bob.
Mike McCrobie