Father’s Day

-

I mentioned in the book, ‘The Barking Lions’ that if there were a day I could time travel back to it would be Father’s Day back in 1996.

I was 31 years old, and was just a year away from celebrating my first Father’s Day - (that’s a whole ‘nother story).

That weekend was the Strawberry Festival weekend in my home town of North Collins. On Friday night, whilst drinking at the bar in town, a few buddies of mine wondered if we could get a team together for a one-pitch softball tournament.

We slapped that team together on a napkin…guys who played against each other in our usual league…formed a rag-tag union. We figured we’d play a couple of games, drink a few beers and then watch the rest of the tourney.

A funny thing happened:

We won all of our games on Saturday! Our pitcher, Scotty, was adept at throwing one-pitch strikes, and I was on an absolute heater. In the 4 games we played I got a base hit nearly every time up.

Problem being, we were still very much alive for day 2 of the tournament…

…Father’s Day.

The beer was flowing. The sun was shining, and we won our morning games. God was on my side though because we had a long break coming, at the exact time when my Dad was serving dinner.

As long as I live I’ll never chase the image of pulling into the packed driveway at my parent’s home.

Everyone was there.

Dad was at the head of the table…

…a roaster filled with rigatoni beside him.

The meat was staged in a huge pan…

…meatballs, pork, eggs, sausage.

Dad was tan. He’d always had a really dark complexion in the summer.

“Hey! About time,” he called out. “Eat!”

My siblings and their spouses were there. Kathy already had a plate. Kids running around. Sinatra on the stereo.

The thing about Dad’s sauce…

…it was always perfect.

I ate a lot. Laughed even more, and made a mental image that I have carried with me forever.

We made it to the semifinal of that tourney. Playing 7 or 8 games as the catcher - in 2 days - cost me dearly.

I tore my Achilles tendon just weeks later. I always blamed that tourney for that injury.

Then Kathy took care of me and it showed me that I needed help to get through life…and Jake made his appearance just before the next Father’s Day rolled around.

Happy Father’s Day to all!

I hope that you have a wonderful memory to carry around with you…

…and as a Dad…

…I often think that it’s the greatest, hardest job I’ve ever had.

My Dad made it look easy…and he had double the kids.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 be...
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...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more