Fish fry

 This past week, Dennis and I took the boys on a Spring break vacation.  We had a blast and made a lot of memories.  The down side of being away was that I couldn't have my weekly lunch date with dad.  The Sunday before we left, I mentioned to dad that there was a Dan's Fish Fry in a town close by the day following our return home.  I knew we would be tired from travel and busy with catch up of laundry and grocery shopping, but I also knew how much my dad enjoys fried fish.  So we made the call to ask dad if he would like to go and get fish once we returned.  Of course, dad was all in.

I started to feel sick on our last day of vacation.  Stuffy nose, sore throat, and aches.  As soon as we touched down Friday, I was not feeling well at all.  I slept most of the day on Saturday to wake up at 4 p.m. which was the time we were to head over and get my dad.  I was very upset because I didn't want to cancel, but I also didn't want to risk getting my parents sick.  Through my frustrations, Dennis said that he would take him.  I told him he didn't have to do that, but he insisted.  Reminding me that he loves my dad too and would enjoy some quality time with him.

I drifted off back to sleep with peace in my mind knowing that my dad was still going to get to enjoy fish but sad that I would be missing it.  I also admit, I was a little sad that I was missing out on this weekly adventure as I have come to look forward to these moments with my dad very much.  At 7:30 p.m. my cell phone started to ring.  I looked and saw that it was my dad.  

As soon as I saw the words Dad Cell, I thought he was calling to tell me that he missed me being there.  But when I answered he asked me if I was at work.  I told him no that I was home sick and then he asked me if I was still on the airplane. It was like he wasn't listening at all to what I was saying.  I repeated, no I was sick and at home.  He didn't mention the fish fry, nor the fact that Dennis and the boys had just left his house.  He didn't mention anything about me not being there, just wanted to tell me that he had a box of coins and pencils that he wanted to give me sometime.  I told dad that I would gladly take the items he wanted to give me and do whatever it was that he wanted me to do with them.  He said thanks, and hung up.  

Dennis and the boys arrived a short time later.  Dennis told me of his evening adventure and how much my dad enjoyed the fish and talking with those also in attendance.  He chuckled as he told me how dad stopped and talked to a young man and thanked him for his service, but the poor guy had no clue what my dad was talking about.  But thankfully he rolled with it.  

Even though I was sad that I missed out, and even more sad that dad didn't realize I wasn't there, he enjoyed himself some fried fish and had great company to go along with it.  My silver lining.