For my boy, of course!
Mom: Was that today? I forgot.
Me: (gently) That’s ok. I forgot too until [my sister] reminded me. It’s good that we forgot today. It’s not like we’d forget him.
Her: Oh, I’d never forget him.
Me: I know, mom.
My dad died eight years ago this week.
I graduated college waaaaaaaay back in 1993. For a solid decade or two afterward, I told time in terms of “college lifetimes.”
Like, eight years woulda been two college lifetimes.
I remember when 1997 rolled around; I marveled that I’d spent four years in college and now, another four years had passed.
College seemed like it would go on forever.
And now, it’s been over for 32 years, which is such a kick in the head.
It doesn’t feel like my dad and Alison have been gone for two college lifetimes, and yet they have.
I suppose the only small solace in all this is both my mom and I forgot that my dad died this week, and that’s such a good thing.
Don’t wanna celebrate, or even memorialize his death, just his life, and how much it meant to me.
My dad drove an old beat-up blue Toyota.
The man coulda bought any car he wanted but that car never gave him a lick of trouble, and he loved it, so he drove it until it practically fell apart.
My siblings and I are pretty much the same way as him.
I used to take the train to Flushing and my dad would pick me up at 老地方, or “the regular spot,” for years in his blue whip.
There was one time, he picked me up with a mischievous grin on his face.
Him: You smell anything?
Me: (getting into the car) Yeah. What is that?
Him: Open the glove compartment.
Me: (opening it) OMG, you got a Fontana’s gyro for me!
Him: (nodding) With extra meat, just like you always ask for.
Swear to god, I had no idea that I’d replay that moment a thousand times in my head.
That was my dad. No one picks me up from the regular spot anymore.
I don’t have him or my regular spot anymore.
He woulda loved the kid so much too.
And he’d be so amused at how much he eats, like me.
Me: Oh man, thanks, dad. You’re the best!
Him: (waving his hand) For my boy? Of course! Just remember to treat your kids the same way.
Me: (laughing) Kids? Me?
Location: Hoboken, for three minutes, before heading back
Mood: nostalgic
Music: I’ve lost count, all the detours that we take (Spotify)
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