In the Moment

-
Someone had a photo of the Golden Gate Bridge on their Facebook feed.

The mind is a beautiful thing because I instantly thought, and brought up images, of the hundreds of times I saw the view from that bridge.

Conversations with Mom and Dad and my brothers and sisters.

There was a particular Sunday morning that came to mind. I was with Dad. We were working overtime. We would be paid double time for our trouble.

"Uh-oh. You have any money on you?" Dad asked.

"Nope. I have my paycheck, but I never cashed it. It's for $1,200 and we've been working so much I never cashed it."

Dad showed me his own check. It wasn't cashed either. It was for over three thousand dollars!

"Doesn't do us any good if we run out of gas."

We drove.

Made it over the bridge.

(In all the time I lived there I never tired of the view from that bridge).

We headed into the heart of the city and that big old Ford Galaxy started to gulp.

"Shit!"

Dad steered the car to the side of the road.

"How about a dime? You have a dime on you."

(Was only a dime to make a call).

I didn't.

We stayed there for awhile. I think we even looked under the seats for change. It was before 7 a.m.

Dad pointed at an Asian man pushing a cart on the side of the road.

"Go ask him if he has a dime."

"No!" I yelled.

So Dad did it.

I saw him talking to the guy. Then they both started laughing. Then Dad came back to the car holding the dime up for me to see.

I went to the pay phone and called Ralph at the job trailer.

Ralph brought a gallon of gas to us. He also brought a ten-dollar bill which Dad took across the street and handed to the Asian guy.

The guy didn't want it.

Dad made him take it.

For years and years we laughed about that trip.

We had five grand between us and not a dime to make a phone call!

I stared at that photo for quite awhile.

Thought about there being time for one more trip across the bridge...

...but it's okay.

It really is.

Because they were great trips the first time.

And they're still with me.

Best of all...

...I appreciated those trips while we were making them.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more