The Canoe Trip

Hello to All!

Father's Day is fast approaching. Every father dreams of an ideal day spent with family enjoying sitting back in his favorite chair, watching TV, playing golf, or eating a favorite meal. It's the one day besides his birthday that a man can claim as his own special day. We women have so many more to choose from thanks to the card and flower companies. Although men enjoy candy and getting a special card they don't get too excited about getting flowers! They always smile, but the eyes say it all, "why" and "what do I do with them now"??

It's time for another bedtime story, so here goes:

Many years ago on another Father's Day "when I was young and single before the wars" (Isn't that better than the tired line, "Once upon a time"?) I went with my boyfriend, Carl and his friends on a canoe trip down the Little Miami River. We all knew each other from the single's group at our church. We packed lunches and drove off to Morgan's Canoe Livery to ride a bus that would take us close enough to the river that we could walk the canoe down to it and "put out to river" (I bet you thought I was going to say the sea, didn't you?) Carl and myself grabbed one canoe. Carl's friends grabbed another one. We all jumped into our canoes and paddled alongside each other making our way down the river. It was such a beautiful day. The sun was shining. We were going "down the lazy river" chatting and laughing--happy and gay!! All of a sudden we heard voices yelling down river. We saw a man standing on the left bank. Two little girls who were definitely his were yelling at him and crying. We then saw a woman hanging onto a log for dear life. They had rented a canoe just like us, but they tipped theirs sending it down the river sans them! The husband/father appeared to be standing there trying to figure out what to do next about his dilemma. We were his only help at this point! Our friends paddled off to the side and rescued both of the parents. Carl and I got the two little girls in our boat. At that particular time we had no idea how to handle children, ourselves, particularly two little girls who refused to stop crying and who kept asking us when they would be able to get back together with their parents. Their parents kept looking back at Carl and I trying to console their children who must have thought their parents were going to sail off without them. After sailing with the kids for what seemed like an eternity until we could get them to the next drop off point where the livery workers were posted I could understand why their parents were glad to be in another canoe! That was probably the best part of their day!

Still, I laughed later that night thinking about that poor man whose family either thought it would be a wonderful idea to take him canoeing - or - asked him what he would like to do on his special day. I thought about all the Father's Days that would follow for him when his kids and wife would be saying, "Remember that one Father's day when we did what you wanted to do"?? I think of that man today and what he might be doing this Father's day. Perhaps, he will be sitting in his favorite chair, watching his favorite TV show, playing golf, and happy in knowing that the women in his life are out somewhere shopping or doing something without him!

(*This story is dedicated to the memory of my dad, Leo, who now celebrates the ultimate Father's Day!)

Good night, Dad! I love you!

Jake (the nickname my dad gave me)