Precious little reminders

We had just finished dinner.
The four of us eat dinner together mostly every night.
Just like when I was a kid, we always ate together.

I was doing the dishes and my mind caught the familiar tune “Forever in Blue Jeans” as it floated by.
Neil Diamond’s raspy voiced anthems were the soundtrack of my childhood.

I remember my dad, a much younger man, flowing black hair, wavy over his ears, singing along with the record player.

Sometimes these memories catch me unaware and they leave a little lump in my throat,
as I look to my own children who now hear their dad singing “I am, I said!”

We repeat.
Every now and then it puts me on my back heal.
I hear him laugh when I laugh, I see his smile on my lips, his quick wit weaponizes the tip of my tongue.

It’s these moments when I’m caught with my guard down that offers precious perspective that we are offered but a brief pause.

What will I do with my moment?
What will you do with your moment?
There are only a few.

It’s not a bad idea to stop every now and then to say “Dad, I love you!”
And to point out when he is wearing a sweet V-Neck!