The Right Stuff

Today was the annual “Doughnuts for Dads” day at Anthony’s elementary school.

I picked him up at 7am, since he has to be in his class by 7:40.

The school is above student capacity level, and so is the parking lot. I circled for ten minutes before finding a spot on the grass, within inches of the drainage ditch. Of course, I had a lot of company, with cars parking everywhere there was a level spot, and at all angles. So much for orderliness.

Anthony and I made our way to the cafeteria. With so many turns, I felt I should drop a trail of bread crumbs or something to mark the way out. It would be embarrassing to be wandering the halls like a poor, lost, doddering old grandfather.

The cafeteria where children were having breakfast is adjacent to a multipurpose room where the donuts were given out. Again, I was surprised at the number of Dads in line with their children, but the line moved relatively fast, and Anthony and I picked up our doughnuts and milk. With all the empty boxes, it must be a banner day for Dunkin’ Donuts.

Anthony had wanted to arrive some time before his first class “so we can talk” for a while. We saw Anthony’s basketball coach and his two sons, so we sat with them.

It was really a nice experience. The children all seemed very happy to have their Dad sitting with them and talking only to them. In our busy world, I feel we miss that opportunity all too often. Even with the two hours every day Anthony and I spend together, there are many times he is out playing with his friends, or in playing with his toys. But the times I treasure are the times we spend together experiencing life and comparing notes.

Just yesterday, Anthony continued his examination of every book I have in my office. The subject of steel and how it is made came up, and I suggested we “Google” it. We spent the next forty minutes watching amateur Youtubes on how people as well as factories make steel. Anthony sat on my lap as we watched, and it was one of the high points of my life. How quickly the time will come when he is too big to sit on my lap.

Wandering back to the subject of “Doughnuts for Dads, ” I walked Anthony to his classroom after we finished eating, and met his teacher. She was a lot younger than I thought. We discussed Anthony’s “Passport” book reports, and she said my guidance was obvious (and welcome) in how well they were constructed.

“Now if we can only improve his handwriting” she said, and I agreed.

In spite of the long hallways and confusing turns, I managed to find my way back out to the outside of the school. Most of the cars lined up facing the ditch were gone, and I was able to back up parallel to the school access road, packed with a continuous line of cars making their getaway.

When I was parallel to the road, I geared myself up to wait. Suddenly, I noticed there were no cars next to me. I turned around, and a Dad had stopped to let me in. Wow! Southern hospitality. Nice job.

A nice way to end a nice visit.