When I was a very young I realized that my sisters were born
in different states than my brother and I. So I asked my mom if we were
“travelers”. I can’t remember her exact answer but it must have been something
like “I hope not”. My dad was in the air
force and my brother and I were born at Eglin AFB, Florida. This is a place in
all my travels I have yet to return. Very soon after the family was off to
Lafayette Indiana where my younger sister Karen was born. I have a very vague memory of the pink house
on Congress Street. I think the only reason is the frenetic activity that took
place after I dropped a brick on my brothers’ head.
Then it was off to Vancouver, Washington and a huge old
house that my older sister Terri described as a mansion. Compared to the little house in Lafayette it
was. But in terms of the Pacific Northwest in 1964 it was a yellow 3 story
colonial built in 1890. We went
exploring the first day we saw the house. After descending down the basement
stairs I turned right toward the laundry area. There was a large concrete
double basin sink. Turning left the huge
“octopus” furnace sat on a concrete floor that was painted red. Past the
furnace to the left was a room and behind the furnace was another room. I
didn’t know which was to go first so I went left around the furnace and into
another smaller room that had a brick floor. All this turning around had me
wondering where to turn next. I looked past the furnace and couldn’t see the
door to the stairs. I seem to remember
calling out for someone. My brother Steve came back and found me and led me to
the stairs.
Back then there were few open discussions about money. But
still even as a child I figured out my parents weren’t rich. Which is why I was
always surprised at Christmas. Four kids and more presents than the front room
could hold. I remember a yellow Tonka
farm truck with a slatted flat bed. I was the type who played with toys until
they were in shreds, perhaps prematurely.
I remember, at what I thought was the end of the Tonka trucks life,
running it off the porch several times and imaging a dramatic crash. Just
seemed logical.
One birthday I received a duck shooting game that included a
dart gun. Those were the days. Hanging
around in the back yard shooting rubber tipped darts at a cardboard duck. And maybe aiming in good fun at a sibling or
two. I don’t remember ever getting one
of those darts to stick on a duck. But I did annoy my brother and sisters.
There was a bit of a tradition about bicycles. I had anticipated receiving my own bike. My OWN bike. Christmas had lost a bit of its magic but this was by far the best present I had ever received. A red two wheeler that I spent the next 6 or 7 years wearing
out…….
When I enrolled in college dad bought me a typewriter. An
Adler. He even provided me with the catalog of typefaces to choose from. I was never a great typist…typer?? But what a
luxury in those days to have a brand new typewriter. I remember once in an
accounting class actually typing out a spreadsheet project. Thirty five points
was the max for the project and my professor was amazed anyone would turn in a
typed project for accounting.
All those birthday’s, Christmases and college classes later,
I am the traveler. I will be in Missouri
City Texas on my dad’s birthday. Just
having arrived from Salt Lake City. Heading to Denver the next day. I’m a traveler but I remember both my parents
telling me I could do anything I wanted to do as a career. And I have made a few good choices that have
led to many opportunities to learn and share what I know. But today I am sad
that I am not with you on your birthday, dad. I know there will be some laughs
and family and cake. And I wish you
those and every good thing you could possibly enjoy, today and everyday.
Love,
Dave
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