Father’s Day 2013 …. A gorgeous day for a walk with Dad….
The frogs croaked loudly, harmonizing with the screaming mating call of the cicadas when I arrived at Chelsea to spend Father’s Day with Dad. I awoke him from his slumbers. Forget the shower…. we’re going for a walk on this beautiful day!
oops…… Leonard J. Buck Garden doesn’t open until noon. No problem. Dad had missed breakfast. I had whisked him off without even a cup of coffee.
There’s a lovely cafe just up the road from the garden. While Dad held our table, I ordered breakfast….. double cappuccino, bran muffin, spinach quiche and coconut truffles. Dad was a bit confused by starting the day with coconut truffles while we waited for our quiche to be heated. Perfect time to write a poem.
Patches of Blue
A table out front
Of a sidewalk cafe
We sit in bright sun
Daughter, Chris and I
The sun shines brightly
Upon the paper I write
The cars roll by
The pedestrians are chattering.
The sun shines so brightly
Upon the paper I’m writing
While Chris waits expectant
For something to be “said”.
But, words seem to delude me
a most common thing
Words are most powerful things
If carefully used.
We returned to Leonard J. Buck Garden, greeted by open gates.
We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day to walk the gardens, the paths drenched in the fragrance of blossoms bursting from the wet, spring weather.
We tackled one of the steeper paths and rested on a bench when we reached to top of the hill. Dad commented on the noise of the cicadas. It was a perfect time for me to pull out the letter I had written for him seventeen years ago. He listened intently as I read it aloud.
At the end, he patted my knee and nodded.
Climbing up the hill was far easier than descending. My heart was in my throat most of the time.
“Steady, Dad….. steady.”
He made it down safely. Stopped, took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
We stopped one more time to rest on a bench beside the pond. We sat in silence for a long time until Dad remarked, “Life is good.”
“Happy Father’s Day, Dad. Yes, life is good.”
Perfect!
Very nice Chris, I always enjoy your writings about your trips with your Dad!!
Always touching accounts.
We like Buck Gardens too. Dolly
Beautiful day. Beautiful scene.
Lovely and serene from start to finish. ~~ Aunt Fann