Philadelphia

“Our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.” -author unknown

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Today begins another week. Don’t you just love Monday’s? Joe’s last day of school was Friday. His summer vacation has officially begun. I remember when I was his age and how excited I was for the summer sun and fun.


My Dad always made sure our summers were wonderful. They were filled with weeks of camping, and later spent in a house he had built in Avalon New Jersey. My Dad worked during the week and spent the weekends with us. I looked forward to the weekends. We went sailing, skiing, fishing, and spent time on the beach and the boardwalk. Life was grand!

Summer was also a time when my Dad would take me to work with him in the city. In a family with four children going away alone with my Dad was very special. My Dad had a Datsun 240Z. The car was awesome! Before the Z we always rode in station wagons or sedans. This was not a family car, this was cool! I loved to ride with him. We sped to the city weaving in and out of traffic. My Dad is an expert driver. When we first started to drive together, I put my hand on top of his as he changed the gears. Later he let me change the gears for him, I just loved it! When we arrived in center city Philadelphia the first order of business was to find a parking space. We started at the closest parking garage to his office. We zipped up and down the car garages looking for a place to park. I loved the zipping even though my Dad would get a little frustrated. It was like twirling around. It felt like a dance. Finally we find a spot to park. My Dad would look at his watch to check the time again. Promptness is so important. My Dad is a disciplined and responsible man. He has good character and ethics. I would be terrified if I ever had to go to the city alone. With one hand on his briefcase and the other hand in mine I was not afraid at all. I had to run walk to keep pace and that was fun. My Dad has a long and sure stride. I loved walking with him. I spent the day in his office. Cordella, his secretary would give me some things to do. I liked playing secretary and dreamed of being his secretary when I grew up. There was no better place to be than with my Dad. If we had time my Dad would hail a cab and we would go somewhere for a long lunch and a walk in the park. Sometimes he would buy me a pretzel from a street vendor.


When he did not have much time we had lunch across the street at the hospital. They had ice milk at the hospital and my Dad and I love ice milk. After the work day was done we would zip back to the suburbs where our home was. I had so many wonderful days with my Dad. Whenever I had to leave my Dad it was with reluctance. When my Dad had to leave for work I was a tad sad. On the days I could be with him I was a proud and happy little girl. I cherish the memories from my wonderful childhood with a wonderful man.

From my Dad I learned to appreciate the beauty in life. Even though we are many miles from each other I still know my Dad. He is with me always in thought and in spirit in all that I am and all that I have become. I have aspired to be like him in life and in love. I hope that I am to my children as wonderful a parent as he is to me. Thanks Dad.