My Father's Eyes

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A few years ago Kathy called me at work to let me know that I won a contest on 97 Rock and that I had an hour to call in and claim my prize.

Turns out I won Eric Clapton's music collection as well as a limo ride and dinner before seeing Clapton at Gund Arena in Cleveland. A nice prize by all measures, but I'm not the world's biggest Clapton fan.

Didn't matter. Kathy and I packed a cooler with beer, loaded out Springsteen CD's and headed off to Cleveland. The limo driver opened the window at one point and asked if we knew who we were going to see.

Clapton was what I expected. An accomplished guitar player who didn't say three words to the audience. Still, I can't complain about the show. I love the fast version of Layla, but he played the slow one. I wanted to hear him sing My Father's Eyes, and he did.

I always loved that song. He sings about being a father himself and needing to look at his children, as a parent, through his father's eyes. I often think of that song as I go about my daily business.

And my daily business today was to make a pot of sauce. As I chopped the onion I could hear my father saying 'Chop it small.' As I rolled the meatballs I heard him ask if I'd washed my hands.

Don't burn the garlic.
Let it cook for awhile.
Add a pinch of sugar.
Bah! That's too much salt!

I headed to the grocery store to pick up a loaf of Italian Bread. It was already my second trip to the store. I just wanted the sauce to turn out right. I had left the house letting Kathy know that whoever wanted to come was welcome.

Another trait picked up from my father.

And guess what song was playing over the loudspeaker at the grocery store.

Yeah, My Father's Eyes.

Remember folks, I'm not a big believer in coincidences.

Comments

Cindy Lehnortt said…
When we were headed for my Dad's wake, we were in Georgia-nearly there when a very old country song came on the radio. I hadn't heard it in many, many years....it was one my Dad used to sing. I didn't think that was coincidence either
15 August, 2010
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