Simple days and simple pleasures
Sarah wasn't feeling well today and I had a lot on my mind, so we stayed home together from church. She's taking care of a little dog for some friends so we hopped into the old 69 Chevy truck klunker we just bought to drive over there. There's something about that truck that brings back memories. It reminds me a bit of an old Ford that my grandpa used to drive. And, when I say drive, I mean he drove. "Drive it or park it!" He used to say to people who wouldn't get out of his way.
It was a sunny day today, with a cool breeze and quiet too. We went over and put the little pug on a leash and walked him around. I sat watching Sarah as I leaned on the old truck and started thinking a little about my dad growing up. He said he always had uncles and cousins around his whole life growing up and how much fun they were to be around. He had like 18 uncles or something because his mom and dad both came from very large families and they were both local so at any given time they'd have Haseldens, Howells and Hymans over playing cards, eating or just sitting around chewing the fat. That's something we've missed being removed from the family so long. This day and age doesn't allow much time for that kind of socializing anyway. That sense that family is always around. We've not had that. But, we make up for it with passion!
Anyway, Sarah wanted to let the dog in so she could feed him, so I went in with her, played with the dog. Nobody can remember his name. :) Then we took him back out and walked him over to an adjacent park.
I was struck by how long it's been since I'd done anything like this. Too busy, too much stuff going on between work, personal commitments, travel, and the everyday occupations. I just sat, listened to the breese and watched her run around with the dog. The sun on my face felt great and the air clean. Sarah was having fun. The kids miss having pets in the home. We all do, I guess.
After running the dog around, Sarah let me hold him. Naturally, I couldn't just hold the leash, I had to try to teach that old dog some tricks. I taught him to sit and stay. Doubt it sticks. :) But, still had the touch...
We walked back and put the dog in the house. Then we hopped back into the old beater and drove home. I turned off the heater and fan. It was warm enough thanks. Sarah asked me, with a very curious look on her face,
"What's that daddy?"
"That's the heater and the fan controls?"
"Really? What's it for?"
Then I realized that this little one has never seen the old manual style heater controls. It's all buttons and lighted displays now.
I explained the controls and then she struggled with the seat belts. Those are different too. "How do you adjust these daddy?"
"Pull right here, see?"
She laughed like only she can and cuddled closer to me. It was exciting to drive in the big old beat up truck with dad on a beautiful summer day.
We took the long way home.
It was a sunny day today, with a cool breeze and quiet too. We went over and put the little pug on a leash and walked him around. I sat watching Sarah as I leaned on the old truck and started thinking a little about my dad growing up. He said he always had uncles and cousins around his whole life growing up and how much fun they were to be around. He had like 18 uncles or something because his mom and dad both came from very large families and they were both local so at any given time they'd have Haseldens, Howells and Hymans over playing cards, eating or just sitting around chewing the fat. That's something we've missed being removed from the family so long. This day and age doesn't allow much time for that kind of socializing anyway. That sense that family is always around. We've not had that. But, we make up for it with passion!
Anyway, Sarah wanted to let the dog in so she could feed him, so I went in with her, played with the dog. Nobody can remember his name. :) Then we took him back out and walked him over to an adjacent park.
I was struck by how long it's been since I'd done anything like this. Too busy, too much stuff going on between work, personal commitments, travel, and the everyday occupations. I just sat, listened to the breese and watched her run around with the dog. The sun on my face felt great and the air clean. Sarah was having fun. The kids miss having pets in the home. We all do, I guess.
After running the dog around, Sarah let me hold him. Naturally, I couldn't just hold the leash, I had to try to teach that old dog some tricks. I taught him to sit and stay. Doubt it sticks. :) But, still had the touch...
We walked back and put the dog in the house. Then we hopped back into the old beater and drove home. I turned off the heater and fan. It was warm enough thanks. Sarah asked me, with a very curious look on her face,
"What's that daddy?"
"That's the heater and the fan controls?"
"Really? What's it for?"
Then I realized that this little one has never seen the old manual style heater controls. It's all buttons and lighted displays now.
I explained the controls and then she struggled with the seat belts. Those are different too. "How do you adjust these daddy?"
"Pull right here, see?"
She laughed like only she can and cuddled closer to me. It was exciting to drive in the big old beat up truck with dad on a beautiful summer day.
We took the long way home.
posted by Kirk at
12:05 AM
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