Is There Life After Retirement?

One of my favorite sites on social media belongs to Oakland’s KTVU’s anchorman, Frank Somerville.  His posts are often thought-provoking, sometimes sad, sometimes heart warming and always very, very human.  One frequent topic is his younger daughter, who is about middle-school aged, I think.

Today’s post (and if you have Facebook, you can find it here) had to do with how he managed to get hoodwinked into bringing milkshakes to his daughter and her two friends every Thursday.  His comment to us, the readership was – he had worried he was “spoiling” her and wondered what we thought.  He also invited us to tell him about what we remembered about our dads, growing up.

I wrote this:

Oh, I have one!
My dad drank his coffee with lots of cream and sugar, and he liked to dunk a folded slice of regular old white bread, buttered, into the coffee and eat it. As a little kid, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. My dad drove a coal truck, so he left for work by 5AM, while I was asleep and he went to bed pretty early. I’m not sure when it started, but each morning, he’d gently wake me up, and stand by my bed with a cup of coffee (more milk than coffee) and a folded over slice of buttered Wonderbread. He’d patiently hold the cup while I dunk and ate. Then he’d tuck me in, and I’d go back to sleep. I know it sounds silly and Mom thought we were ridiculous. But even now, 50+ years later, I smile as I write this.

Speaking of which … Dad always had a huge smile on his face during this routine and I never really understood why until I became a parent.  Then I realized – without this tradition, he wouldn’t otherwise see his kid until late afternoon or early evening. So really, he was doing it for HIM. (aww …) Okay Frank, the spirit of my dad gives you “permission” for this little routine to be as much for you as it is for your daughter. Admit it. You love it. 

That’s all.  Just wanted to share.