As Father’s Day approaches I could gush about how great my dad is (and he is amazing) but that wouldn’t be any fun! What would be more fun is to share some of the childhood experiences that have scarred me for life and cost me thousands in therapy.
There are so many but I narrowed it down to five.
1. In Lake George, NY there was an amusement park, Magic Forest, off Route 9, that we drove by frequently. My dad told my sister and me that if you went to this particular park after dark, you turned into a monkey. I was terrified of that park for obvious reasons.
2. My sister and I (about 8 and 10 years old ) wanted to go to TGI Friday’s restaurant in NYC. We were “sold” on all their marketing on how TGI Friday’s was the place to dine. We loved the striped awnings outside and begged my dad to take us there as we were convinced there was a party going on in that restaurant, and we wanted to be part of the action. We never went. Instead, we went to the local sushi restaurant, Shabu Shabu 70.
3. My sister and I also wanted to go to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Let me restate that we begged to be taken to that parade. My dad didn’t take us to the Thanksgiving Day Parade; instead, he took us to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. If you are wondering how much fun that parade could be when you are well below the drinking age, I can say from experience, not fun.
4. I’ve shared this story before but as a friendly reminder, on hot summer days in August, we were up at the crack of dawn, 6:15 am to be exact, in the apartment building garage by 6:45 am and ordering our deli sandwiches by 7:00 am so we could literally be the first to arrive at Jones Beach (in New York) entrance 6. If you were there circa 1975-85, you probably saw us. We were easy to spot. Perhaps you saw a tiny child carrying the boom box, cooler, and beach chairs back to a car at 4:00 pm. Or maybe you saw a gray 320BMW vehicle that was parked in the furthest part of the parking lot even though there were open spaces close to the walkway. (My dad doesn’t like to park near other cars as he wants to prevent scratches and dents) All sand particles had to be removed before getting in the car. Impossible, I know. The trip back to NYC from the beach was a hellacious as you can imagine with all the windows rolled down and Bob Dylan on full blast. The sound of a harmonica still causes a severe reaction!
5. More recently, my dad and I were walking in Westhampton on a rainy summer day. People are staring at us, and I think it is because I am looking all stylish. There are many times when we are walking together, and I get asked over and over again about my shoes. (this irritates my dad!). So, as people are continuing to stare at us, I am not thinking much about the glances except this time I start to notice people are not looking at my shoes and inquiring and they are giving us a funny look. Oh my god, my stomach drops. I glance casually up at the umbrella and notice it is from a drug company and has the name of a drug proudly printed all over it. “Dad, what is the drug that is printed on the umbrella for?” I am in a full-on panic as he is a gastroenterologist and I know from experience it isn’t going to be something for migraines. “Hemorrhoids,” my dad replies casually. I was mortified. No wonder everyone was staring at us. (Note here, if you are with my dad on a rainy day and he takes out an umbrella, offers yours instead to save yourself some embarrassment!)
Today, these stories are the ones we bring up at the dinner table. Laughing until we are crying. Embellishing on the stories or adding a few more like if my dad got a cart at the wine store, it was the kiss of death. My sister and I knew we’d be there for hours.
Tie one of your favorite childhood memories to one of our images and helps you celebrate Father’s Day this year. Our personalized stickers that fit perfectly on the bottom of a Hershey’s kiss, personalized notepads or paper placemats will make your celebration extra special.
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